uwi fired prof fe exposing funnee truth

**blugiant** · 05-23-2014, 01:28 PM

Bain fired from post as Director of CHART

This comes in response to pressure brough to bear on the matter by regional lobbyists opposed to testimony given by Professor Bain in a court case brought by a gay rights advocate in Belize.

Below is the full text of the statement from the UWI, explaining the decision to terminate the services of Professor Bain.

The University of the West Indies sees its role as providing higher education and increasing capacity of the human resources of the region it serves, conducting and publishing research and helping to guide public policy on issues relevant to social and economic development. The academic community plays a pivotal role in carrying out the University’s mandate and is encouraged to engage in public dialogue on matters of national and regional import. The UWI therefore affirms the right of academics to communicate their views based on their work and expertise and in so doing to render public service.

For the last year, there has been considerable controversy surrounding the appropriateness of Professor Brendan Bain serving as Director of CHART. Professor Bain is a retired member of staff of The University of the West Indies who has had a distinguished career primarily in the field of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. In June 2001, the CARICOM Secretariat proposed the creation of a Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Centre and two years later the CHART Network was established “for the purpose of contributing to systematic capacity development among institutional and community-based healthcare workers involved in prevention of HIV/AIDS and in care, treatment and support of persons living with HIV and AIDS”.

Professor Brendan Bain has been the Director of CHART since its inception and after his retirement from The UWI in 2013 he was given a two-year post-retirement contract to continue in his role as Director. CHART is not a department of the UWI but a regional project managed by the University under a contract funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund and a group of US agencies, to train health workers dealing with patients and communities affected by HIV/AIDS.

The issue in question arose about two years ago in a high-profile case in Belize in which Caleb Orozco, a gay man in Belize, challenged the constitutionality of an 1861 law that criminalises men having sex with men (MSM). Professor Brendan Bain provided a Statement on behalf of a group of churches seeking to retain the 1861 Law. Many authorities familiar with the Brief presented believe that Professor Bain’s testimony supported arguments for retention of the law, thereby contributing to the continued criminalisation and stigmatisation of MSM. This opinion is shared by the lesbian, gay and other groups who are served by CHART.

The majority of HIV and public health experts believe that criminalising men having sex with men and discriminating against them violates their human rights, puts them at even higher risk, reduces their access to services, forces the HIV epidemic underground thereby increasing the HIV risk. These are the positions advocated by the UN, UNAIDS, WHO, PAHO, the international human rights communities and PANCAP (The Pan Caribbean Partnership against AIDS)which is the organisation leading the regional response to the HIV epidemic.

While the University recognises the right of Professor Bain to provide expert testimony in the manner he did, it has become increasingly evident that Professor Bain has lost the confidence and support of a significant sector of the community which the CHART programme is expected to reach, including the loss of his leadership status in PANCAP, thereby undermining the ability of this programme to effectively deliver on its mandate. It is for this reason that the University of the West Indies has decided to terminate the contract of Professor Bain as Director of the Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) of the Caribbean HIV/Training (CHART) Network.

UWI Chancellor
In an apparent effort to fortify its position on the present matter, the UWI also released excerpts from an address given by Chancellor Sir George Alleyne to the 2013 UWI graduating class at the Cave Hill campus in Barbados:

I have heard activists complain that scholarship and practice need to come together more closely, that the teaching and the discourse around moral, philosophical and constitutional niceties do not relate to the daily infringements suffered by minorities in our societies.

It is in this context that I wish to refer to the negation of human rights of a specific minority in our Caribbean societies. Professor Rose-Marie Antoine and I have just published a book “HIV and Human Rights” which resulted from a Symposium held at Cave Hill 3 years ago. This brought out clearly the degree of stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS and minorities such as homosexuals and many were appalled to know that eleven of our CARICOM countries are the only ones in the Western Hemisphere which still have laws on their books that criminalise consensual homosexual sex in private. Their presence is a clear indication of the disjuncture between the criminal codes and the principles of respect for human dignity and essential freedoms enshrined in the Caribbean constitutions.

They are a reflection of the savings law clause which, as written and understood, insulates laws which were in existence at the time of independence from constitutional challenge. We should note that they are relics of British laws of 1876, and Britain has long repealed such law. Of course, Parliaments if so inclined could amend or repeal these laws by an ordinary majority. However, given the difficulty of parliamentary action, the only recourse for change is through litigation.

It is sometimes suggested that these laws are not enforced and therefore pose no problem, but the evidence is clear that they contribute to the stigma and discrimination suffered by lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. Not only is such stigma and discrimination inimical to the public health efforts to prevent and control HIV, but they affront the basic rights which are enshrined in the constitutions of our countries.

Given Sir Philip’s injunction that as an institution we should be concerned with the elimination of prejudice, I ask what our University does in this field. I am aware of the programs in human rights which are well supported. But is the culture of our institution such that there is intolerance of intolerance and the infringement of the rights of minorities? Should our institution simply be a reflection of the prejudices of the rest of the community or should it by precept and word speak to the injustice that attends the negation of human rights of a minority? Should it be a leaven of change in the bodies politic?

I am pleased that the Faculty of Law has been proactive in this regard, mixing scholarship with practice and has formed a Rights Advocacy Project whose main objective is “to promote human rights and social justice in the Caribbean through pivotal public interest litigation and related activities of legal and social science research on the situation relating to human rights in the Caribbean and public education”. As I understand it, two of their major efforts now are in relation to the denial of human rights to a specific minority, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. I wish them well and trust that their work gets widely known throughout the University. I think that if Sir Philip were here now fifty years later, he would be proud of this work.

Bain Fired From Post As Director Of CHART

http://rjrnewsonline.com/local/bain-fired-from-post-as-director-of-chart

This comes in response to pressure brough to bear on the matter by regional lobbyists opposed to testimony given by Professor Bain in a court

**blugiant** · 05-23-2014, 01:30 PM

Bain supporters launch online petition

Damion Mitchell, Editor – Radio & Online

KINGSTON, Jamaica:
An online petition has been launched in support of Professor Brendan Bain who has been fired as the director of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training Network.

The petition, sent from the email address [email protected], makes it clear that it does not represent the views of Professor Bain or the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Among other things, it calls for UWI vice-chancellor, Professor E. Nigel Harris, to issue a public apology to Professor Bain and to citizen stakeholders.

Professor Bain was fired as the director of the regional training network after providing an expert report in a suit brought by a gay man in Belize.

The report was requested by the church in the civil case against the state for criminalising homosexuality.

Since then, more than 30 groups have written to the UWI saying they have lost confidence in Professor Bain as the head of the training network.

However, the petitioners say the dismissal was unjust since Professor Bain only provided scientific facts that homosexuality is unhealthy and costly to countries where it is legalised.

The petitioners also want the UWI to clarify several points arising from the sacking of the professor.

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

**blugiant** · 05-23-2014, 01:35 PM

Gay advocates want UWI professor sacked

A coalition of gay advocacy and civil rights groups is pressuring the University of the West Indies (UWI) to fire Professor Brendan Bain as head of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Initiative, claiming that his expert testimony in a case in Belize represents a conflict of interest and has destroyed their trust in him.

The 33 lobby groups, from a number of Caribbean islands, are also demanding that Professor Bain be removed from all positions of representation of the UWI on HIV and AIDS issues. They are, as well, insisting that the university drafts and implements a "policy which protects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex staff and students from discrimination".

However, the groups and the UWI administration, which appears to wilting under the pressure, are on a collision course with the church as the Jamaica Association of Evangelicals has expressed support for Professor Bain and has asked the UWI to resist the demand to sack him.

The first move against Bain was made in September 2013 when the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) wrote to Ambassador Eric Goosby at the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) expressing concerns about Bain's expert testimony in the constitutional challenge brought by Belizean gay man Caleb Orozco against Section 53 of Belize's criminal code in September 2010.

The code states that "every person who has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person or animal shall be liable to imprisonment for 10 years".

Orozco, who stated in his affidavit that he is president of United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM), argued 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.

Orozco explained in his court document that UNIBAM "is a voluntary human rights association of men who have sex with men (MSM) and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people (LGBT)".

In August 2012, Professor Bain, regarded as a pioneer in clinical infectious disease practice in the Caribbean and a leading medical authority on the HIV epidemic in the region, gave his expert testimony in the case.

Bain, who since 1983 has provided clinical care to persons living with HIV and AIDS, pointed out in his testimony that the risk of contracting HIV is significantly higher among MSMs.

He said this was true for Belize, as well as other countries, including those that have repealed the law the criminalises anal sex.

According to Bain, some public health practitioners and agencies "have hypothesised that decriminalising the practice of anal intercourse among consenting adults would lead to a reduction in the incidence rate of HIV infections among MSM". However, he said that to date, published data have not substantiated that hypothesis.

He pointed out as well that data from several parts of the world also indicate that the relative risk of acquiring and spreading other sexually transmitted infections and cancers is unacceptably high among MSMs when compared with other men and women.

"As a physician and public health practitioner, one of my responsibilities is to assess behaviours for their impact on health and well-being," Bain said in his written testimony.

"When something is beneficial, such as exercise, good nutrition, or adequate sleep, it is my duty to recommend it. Likewise, when something is harmful, such as smoking, overeating, alcohol or drug abuse, and unsafe sexual behaviour, it is my duty to discourage it. Together with promoting individual responsibility, it is clear that environments that enable individuals to make and practice safe and healthy choices must be provided at family, community and governmental levels," he said.

Bain added that another of his responsibilities as a public health practitioner is to assess the cost of behaviour, not just to the individual 'actor' but also to the community. "There are some private behaviours, either carried out by individuals or between consenting adults, that may either be helpful or of little adverse consequence to other persons in the community," he said.

"Behaviours that are helpful to individuals and to the community are to be encouraged. On the other hand, there are instances in which private behaviours result in considerable public cost due to illness, with accompanying loss of productivity and social disruption and the prospect of premature death. The public cost of these private behaviours must be acknowledged and actively reckoned with," Bain argued.

"The risk to MSM and their intimate sexual partners is not just to their physical health. The adverse physical and physiological consequences of STIs (including HIV) in MSM create significant and avoidable financial costs to individuals, households and governments. These important considerations must be included when considering whether to give public approval to risky behaviours such as are often practised by MSM," Bain stated.

But that opinion, which Bain made clear was his and did not represent the UWI's thinking, has angered the lobby groups.

On January 24 this year they wrote to UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Nigel Harris expressing displeasure with Bain's testimony and asking for his dismissal.

The groups were following up on a November 2013 letter from Professor Harris in which he assured them -- in response to an earlier correspondence from them -- that the UWI was opposed to any form of discrimination for reasons of gender, religion or sexual orientation.

They told Harris that while they welcomed that position, they wanted the UWI to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that it implements a strong [CHART] project with integrity of word and work.

"In view of the fact that Professor Bain no longer holds the confidence of civil society in the integrity of his word and work we can see no way in which his remaining in a leadership position in the programme would demonstrate commitment," the lobbyists said.

They assured Harris that their intention was not for the UWI to lose funding for the CHART programme. Rather, they wanted to see the funding maximised "in the hands of strong leadership".

However, the groups said that while they accepted that "universities have important principles of academic freedom which protect the right to freedom of expression against institutional censorship, UWI can, and must, exercise discretion regarding who heads and implements the CHART programme and who represents UWI in decision-making spaces".

Three months later, on April 24, the groups again wrote to Harris, expressing disappointment that they received no response to their January letter, and described his "lack of response" as "completely unacceptable, disrespectful of the populations the university is purporting to serve, and an affront to the proud tradition of principled regional leadership that the UWI has previously displayed".

They also said that Harris' "lack of leadership" in the exercise of his discretion regarding who heads and implements the CHART programme has left them with few options but to make their concerns known to the widest possible audience, including regional and international supporters, funders and leaders.

On April 28, Harris responded, reminding the groups of the privilege the UWI accords it academic staff in relation to academic freedom and that the university has disassociated itself from Bain's statement.

Professor Harris also told the groups that "in addressing any allegation of loss of confidence in the UWI as a result of a staff member's action or inaction, the UWI must also ensure that individuals involved are afforded a fair hearing".

As such, Harris said he had initiated a consultative process as a precursor to making a final decision.

On May 6, Harris wrote to Bain confirming that a committee established to advise on his suitability to lead the CHART programme was scheduled to meet on May 12 and invited Bain to "provide a written or oral testimony to the committee".

On Friday, a source close to the developments said he was not sure whether Bain, who was travelling, had met Harris' request.

However, it appears that any move to fire him will be opposed by the evangelical movement which, in a May 11 letter to Harris, asked the UWI to "demonstrate its unequivocal commitment to the cherished principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression".

The church group also asked the university to "consider implementing a policy which protects all employees and students from intimidation", adding that it can highlight cases of intimidation at Mona that have affected both students and employees because of their views on these issues.

In addition to the CVC, the lobby groups include Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS), J-Flag, Jamaicans For Justice, Jamaican Youth Advocacy Network, Jamaica Youth Theatre, Hannah Town Parenting Group, UNIBAM, Women Against Rape and Stand Up for Jamaica.

404 - Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/gay-advocates-want-uwi-professor-sacked_16688470

**blugiant** · 05-23-2014, 01:43 PM

thyme fe bunn sum fiyah pon uwi

uwi ave a latt aff funnee profs woo tryinn fe legalieze filth inn jamaica

tink wii neva kno bout prof rex fe wan

a sum aff dem funnee peeps woo decided fe fiyah da jamaican professor fe chattinn da trooth

**blugiant** · 05-23-2014, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by blugiant View Post

In August 2012, Professor Bain, regarded as a pioneer in clinical infectious disease practice in the Caribbean and a leading medical authority on the HIV epidemic in the region, gave his expert testimony in the case.

Bain, who since 1983 has provided clinical care to persons living with HIV and AIDS, pointed out in his testimony that the risk of contracting HIV is significantly higher among MSMs.

He said this was true for Belize, as well as other countries, including those that have repealed the law the criminalises anal sex.

prof bain iss chattinn a known fact dat numerous studies validate. batty bizzness playinn widd filth significantlee increase da rate aff aids ann hiv. mii guess dem abnarmal duttee homosexualsa try fe censar peeps fram chattinn da trooth.

Originally posted by blugiant View Post

According to Bain, some public health practitioners and agencies "have hypothesised that decriminalising the practice of anal intercourse among consenting adults would lead to a reduction in the incidence rate of HIV infections among MSM". However, he said that to date, published data have not substantiated that hypothesis.

He pointed out as well that data from several parts of the world also indicate that the relative risk of acquiring and spreading other sexually transmitted infections and cancers is unacceptably high among MSMs when compared with other men and women.

lang thyme mii poas sum studee dat proove diss pint. again the prof iss statinn known medical facts butt dem funnee peeps cah address dem fact inna straight forward manner cah itt wood meen admittinn dat deer iss legitimate societal reasons dat justify da criminalization aff homosexualitee. so dem go rund da back door ann buck beat dem uwi professors ann uwi bigg peeps fe bowinn to dem lieinn homosexual lobby dat practices gross disstartsham ann funnee propaganda

Originally posted by blugiant View Post

"As a physician and public health practitioner, one of my responsibilities is to assess behaviours for their impact on health and well-being," Bain said in his written testimony.

"When something is beneficial, such as exercise, good nutrition, or adequate sleep, it is my duty to recommend it. Likewise, when something is harmful, such as smoking, overeating, alcohol or drug abuse, and unsafe sexual behaviour, it is my duty to discourage it. Together with promoting individual responsibility, it is clear that environments that enable individuals to make and practice safe and healthy choices must be provided at family, community and governmental levels," he said.

Bain added that another of his responsibilities as a public health practitioner is to assess the cost of behaviour, not just to the individual 'actor' but also to the community. "There are some private behaviours, either carried out by individuals or between consenting adults, that may either be helpful or of little adverse consequence to other persons in the community," he said.

"Behaviours that are helpful to individuals and to the community are to be encouraged. On the other hand, there are instances in which private behaviours result in considerable public cost due to illness, with accompanying loss of productivity and social disruption and the prospect of premature death. The public cost of these private behaviours must be acknowledged and actively reckoned with," Bain argued.

"The risk to MSM and their intimate sexual partners is not just to their physical health. The adverse physical and physiological consequences of STIs (including HIV) in MSM create significant and avoidable financial costs to individuals, households and governments. These important considerations must be included when considering whether to give public approval to risky behaviours such as are often practised by MSM," Bain stated.

But that opinion, which Bain made clear was his and did not represent the UWI's thinking, has angered the lobby groups.

dat pint mii always made iff individual behavios increases da public harm den societee iss justeeffii inn criminalizinn homosexuals. cah to legalize buggery increase da likeleehood aff ann increase inn hiv ann aids inn da societee

Originally posted by blugiant View Post

On January 24 this year they wrote to UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Nigel Harris expressing displeasure with Bain's testimony and asking for his dismissal.

The groups were following up on a November 2013 letter from Professor Harris in which he assured them -- in response to an earlier correspondence from them -- that the UWI was opposed to any form of discrimination for reasons of gender, religion or sexual orientation.

They told Harris that while they welcomed that position, they wanted the UWI to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that it implements a strong [CHART] project with integrity of word and work.

"In view of the fact that Professor Bain no longer holds the confidence of civil society in the integrity of his word and work we can see no way in which his remaining in a leadership position in the programme would demonstrate commitment," the lobbyists said.

They assured Harris that their intention was not for the UWI to lose funding for the CHART programme. Rather, they wanted to see the funding maximised "in the hands of strong leadership".

However, the groups said that while they accepted that "universities have important principles of academic freedom which protect the right to freedom of expression against institutional censorship, UWI can, and must, exercise discretion regarding who heads and implements the CHART programme and who represents UWI in decision-making spaces".

Three months later, on April 24, the groups again wrote to Harris, expressing disappointment that they received no response to their January letter, and described his "lack of response" as "completely unacceptable, disrespectful of the populations the university is purporting to serve, and an affront to the proud tradition of principled regional leadership that the UWI has previously displayed".

They also said that Harris' "lack of leadership" in the exercise of his discretion regarding who heads and implements the CHART programme has left them with few options but to make their concerns known to the widest possible audience, including regional and international supporters, funders and leaders.

On April 28, Harris responded, reminding the groups of the privilege the UWI accords it academic staff in relation to academic freedom and that the university has disassociated itself from Bain's statement.

Professor Harris also told the groups that "in addressing any allegation of loss of confidence in the UWI as a result of a staff member's action or inaction, the UWI must also ensure that individuals involved are afforded a fair hearing".

As such, Harris said he had initiated a consultative process as a precursor to making a final decision.

On May 6, Harris wrote to Bain confirming that a committee established to advise on his suitability to lead the CHART programme was scheduled to meet on May 12 and invited Bain to "provide a written or oral testimony to the committee".

On Friday, a source close to the developments said he was not sure whether Bain, who was travelling, had met Harris' request.

However, it appears that any move to fire him will be opposed by the evangelical movement which, in a May 11 letter to Harris, asked the UWI to "demonstrate its unequivocal commitment to the cherished principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression".

The church group also asked the university to "consider implementing a policy which protects all employees and students from intimidation", adding that it can highlight cases of intimidation at Mona that have affected both students and employees because of their views on these issues.

In addition to the CVC, the lobby groups include Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS), J-Flag, Jamaicans For Justice, Jamaican Youth Advocacy Network, Jamaica Youth Theatre, Hannah Town Parenting Group, UNIBAM, Women Against Rape and Stand Up for Jamaica.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...acked_16688470

uwi vice principal bowwinn inn dat respance

**blugiant** · 05-23-2014, 02:35 PM

Buck Breaking

The process of “breaking the buck” involves perhaps the most heinous and atrocious acts known to man.

The process of “breaking the buck” involves perhaps the most heinous and atrocious acts known to man.

A strapping Negro slave, who was defiant, surly and may stir up trouble, was beaten with a whip till bloody in front of his entire slave congregation. The slave owner, deathly afraid of an uprising, would cut down a tree and, with the help of the overseer, would then pummel the deviant “buck” into submission. Once the slave was worn down, the white master had the other Negro slaves force him over the tree stump where his britches would be removed and he laid fully exposed and ripe for the taking.

What came next caused fear and terror to ripple through every slave plantation across the South.

The master, drunk on blood lust, would explain to all strong, young black men that if they do not follow strict orders and comply with the whims of the Overseer and the Master, this too would be their fate. He removed his own clothing and proceeded to savagely sodomize the buck in front his wife, family, friends and children. He then invited his associates from other plantations to join in the Nigger Festivities.

In order for his plan to take effect, he would require the buck’s male child to watch, front row center, so he too can witness his father’s sexual demise and humiliation. Buck Breaking was the slave master’s very effective tool to keep all young black slaves from ever being defiant and taking revenge. It also frightened the mother’s and wives from ever giving consent to an uprising.

Buck Breaking was so successful that it was made into a “Sex Farm” where white men could travel from plantation to plantation feeding their sadistic, homosexual needs. If there was ever any doubt that the white race is our mortal enemy, please remove all doubt and see the truth for what it is. An Example of modern day buck breaking is:

Those of us that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

**blugiant** · 05-23-2014, 03:05 PM

is speaking the truth about homosexuality homophobia?

**blugiant** · 05-23-2014, 03:13 PM

Hundreds sign petition defending Prof Bain

In a dramatic show of support for former CHART Director, Professor Brendan Bain, more than 550 people across Jamaica have signed an online petition delivered directly to the email inbox of Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Professor E Nigel Harris, in only a few hours.

The signatures, according to a release by the Citizen Stakeholders, were also sent to the Principal of the UWI Mona Campus, Professor Archibald McDonald, and the President of the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) Anthony Perry.

The petition was launched Wednesday night by a diverse group of citizen stakeholders who are primarily UWI lecturers, students, scientists, medical doctors, ordinary citizens, and other interested parties "who are deeply concerned about the dismissal of Professor Bain. While they differ in their religious, moral, or political beliefs, they all agree that the dismissal was wrong in principle.

The petition reportedly demands an immediate public apology from the Vice Chancellor over the "unjust dismissal of Professor Bain", who is a retired UWI professor and world renowned expert on the research, treatment, and public policy related to HIV/AIDS "with an unblemished career of over 25 years".

Professor Bain was dismissed by the Vice Chancellor as head of CHART after pressure from certain interest groups following his submission of an Expert Report to the Belizean High Court.

The petitioners reportedly join several non-aligned professional groups, including the Medical Association of Jamaica and the Human Resource Management Authority of Jamaica who have expressed deep concern and disapproval over the dismissal.

They list five main reasons, further elaborated in the petition itself:

1) Professor Bain did nothing wrong;

2) There are no legitimate reasons to lose confidence in his leadership;

3.) The dismissal limits our access to empirical scientific research and information;

4) The dismissal prevents medical experts and research professionals from freely carrying out their mandates; and

5) I believe that you failed in your duty to uphold justice and act in the broader interests of the public.

The Citizen Stakeholders, through their petition letters are telling the Vice Chancellor that they believe "that empirical scientific research and confident researchers are too important in the fight against HIV/AIDS for them to be threatened and dismissed because of the political ideologies of a few interest groups".

Meanwhile, the group also denounced the firing as wrong since no objective reasons were given, and that the Vice Chancellor ignored the fact that Professor Bain made no legal recommendations, and should have been bold enough to tell special interest groups who inferred that he did so, that they are wrong. They also expressed concern for the future of the UWI, stating that they are "not confident after the unfair dismissal that UWI will remain a centre for open and objective scientific research".

In addition to an apology, the Citizen Stakeholders demand that the Vice Chancellor address 14 points of clarification, including clarifying "whether Citizen Stakeholders and governments should expect that the public policy suggestions by the UWI and/or CHART will be based on empirical scientific research or based on the political ideologies of certain interest groups".

The release said that Vice Chancellor has not yet replied.

404 - Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Hundreds-sign-petition-defending-Prof-Bain

**blugiant** · 05-23-2014, 03:17 PM

itt a shame dat mii cyaan sign da petition in support aff doctor bain cah change.org policee meen mii affii accept cookies ann scripts

Sign the Petition

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/uwi-vice-chancellor-apologise-for-unjustly-dismissing-professor-bain

Apologise for unjustly dismissing Professor Bain

**blugiant** · 05-23-2014, 03:25 PM

CDC Analysis Provides New Look at Disproportionate Impact of HIV and Syphilis Among U.S. Gay and Bisexual Men

A data analysis released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscores the disproportionate impact of HIV and syphilis among gay and bisexual men in the United States.

The data, presented at CDC's 2010 National STD Prevention Conference, finds that the rate of new HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM) is more than 44 times that of other men and more than 40 times that of women.

The range was 522-989 cases of new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 MSM vs. 12 per 100,000 other men and 13 per 100,000 women.

The rate of primary and secondary syphilis among MSM is more than 46 times that of other men and more than 71 times that of women, the analysis says. The range was 91-173 cases per 100,000 MSM vs. 2 per 100,000 other men and 1 per 100,000 women.

While CDC data have shown for several years that gay and bisexual men make up the majority of new HIV and new syphilis infections, CDC has estimated the rates of these diseases for the first time based on new estimates of the size of the U.S. population of MSM. Because disease rates account for differences in the size of populations being compared, rates provide a reliable method for assessing health disparities between populations.

"While the heavy toll of HIV and syphilis among gay and bisexual men has been long recognized, this analysis shows just how stark the health disparities are between this and other populations," said Kevin Fenton, M.D., director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. "It is clear that we will not be able to stop the U.S. HIV epidemic until every affected community, along with health officials nationwide, prioritize the needs of gay and bisexual men with HIV prevention efforts."

For the purposes of determining rates of disease for MSM, CDC researchers first estimated the size of the gay and bisexual male population in the United States – defined as the proportion of men who reported engaging in same-sex behavior within the past five years. Based on an analysis of nationally representative surveys, CDC estimated that MSM comprise 2.0 percent (range: 1.4-2.7 percent) of the overall U.S. population aged 13 and older, or 4 percent of the U.S. male population (range: 2.8-5.3 percent). Disease rates per 100,000 population were then calculated using 2007 surveillance data on HIV and primary/secondary syphilis diagnoses and U.S. Census data for the total U.S. population.

The new analysis is the first step in more fully assessing the impact of HIV among MSM and other populations significantly affected by the disease. CDC is developing more detailed estimates of infection rates among MSM by race and age, as well as among injection drug users. CDC is also in the early stages of planning for estimates among heterosexuals. Ultimately, these data can be used to better inform national and local approaches to HIV and STD prevention to ensure that efforts are reaching the populations in greatest need.

Research shows that a range of complex factors contribute to the high rates of HIV and syphilis among gay and bisexual men. These factors include high prevalence of HIV and other STDs among MSM, which increases the risk of disease exposure, and limited access to prevention services. Other factors are complacency about HIV risk, particularly among young gay and bisexual men; difficulty of consistently maintaining safe behaviors with every sexual encounter over the course of a lifetime; and lack of awareness of syphilis symptoms and how it can be transmitted (e.g., oral sex). Additionally, factors such as homophobia and stigma can prevent MSM from seeking prevention, testing, and treatment services.

Also, the risk of HIV transmission through receptive anal sex is much greater than the risk of transmission via other sexual activities, and some gay and bisexual men are relying on prevention strategies that may be less effective than consistent condom use.

"There is no single or simple solution for reducing HIV and syphilis rates among gay and bisexual men," said Fenton. "We need intensified prevention efforts that are as diverse as the gay community itself. Solutions for young gay and bisexual men are especially critical, so that HIV does not inadvertently become a rite of passage for each new generation of gay men."

Preventing HIV and STDs among gay and bisexual men is a top CDC priority. CDC provides funding to health departments and community-based organizations throughout the nation to implement proven behavior-change programs for MSM and will soon expand a successful HIV testing initiative to reach more gay and bisexual men. Additionally, CDC is implementing an updated National Syphilis Elimination Plan in cities where MSM have been hardest hit by the disease, and will release an updated HIV prevention strategic plan within the next year to support the President's upcoming National HIV/AIDS Strategy. CDC officials note that the new analysis released today underscores the importance of the HIV and STD prevention efforts targeting gay and bisexual men recently announced as part of the President's fiscal year 2011 budget proposal.

web.archive.org/web/20140328063730/http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/Newsroom/msmpressrelease.html

**blugiant** · 05-23-2014, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by blugiant View Post

CDC Analysis Provides New Look at Disproportionate Impact of HIV and Syphilis Among U.S. Gay and Bisexual Men

A data analysis released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscores the disproportionate impact of HIV and syphilis among gay and bisexual men in the United States.

The data, presented at CDC's 2010 National STD Prevention Conference, finds that the rate of new HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM) is more than 44 times that of other men and more than 40 times that of women.

The range was 522-989 cases of new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 MSM vs. 12 per 100,000 other men and 13 per 100,000 women.

The rate of primary and secondary syphilis among MSM is more than 46 times that of other men and more than 71 times that of women, the analysis says. The range was 91-173 cases per 100,000 MSM vs. 2 per 100,000 other men and 1 per 100,000 women.

realitee iss dat funnee men ar 44 times more likelee fe git hiv. woo oonnoo reallee tinkinn spreadinn da hiv to oomen. itt mainlee funnee men passinn itt on to oomen

funnee men ar 46 times more likelee fe ave syphillis

Originally posted by blugiant View Post

While CDC data have shown for several years that gay and bisexual men make up the majority of new HIV and new syphilis infections, CDC has estimated the rates of these diseases for the first time based on new estimates of the size of the U.S. population of MSM. Because disease rates account for differences in the size of populations being compared, rates provide a reliable method for assessing health disparities between populations.

"While the heavy toll of HIV and syphilis among gay and bisexual men has been long recognized, this analysis shows just how stark the health disparities are between this and other populations," said Kevin Fenton, M.D., director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. "It is clear that we will not be able to stop the U.S. HIV epidemic until every affected community, along with health officials nationwide, prioritize the needs of gay and bisexual men with HIV prevention efforts."

dat prof spoke da trooth ann wen funnee peeps can mekk dem fire sumwan fe statinn fact dem uwi stink like doo do

**blugiant** · 05-23-2014, 03:38 PM

HIV Among Gay and Bisexual Men
Fast Facts

Gay and bisexual men are more severely affected by HIV than any other group in the United States.
Among all gay and bisexual men, black/African American gay and bisexual men bear a disproportionate burden of HIV.
From 2008 to 2010, HIV infections among young black/African American gay and bisexual men increased 20%.

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM)a represent approximately 2% of the United States population, yet are the population most severely affected by HIV. In 2010, young gay and bisexual men (aged 13-24 years) accounted for 72% of new HIV infections among all persons aged 13 to 24, and 30% of new infections among all gay and bisexual men. At the end of 2010, an estimated 489,121 (56%) persons living with an HIV diagnosis in the United States were gay and bisexual men, or gay and bisexual men who also inject drugs.

The Numbers
New HIV Infectionsb

In 2010, gay and bisexual men accounted for 63% of estimated new HIV infections in the United States and 78% of infections among all newly infected men. From 2008 to 2010, new HIV infections increased 22% among young (aged 13-24) gay and bisexual men and 12% among gay and bisexual men overall.
Among all gay and bisexual men, white gay and bisexual men accounted for 11,200 (38%) estimated new HIV infections in 2010. The largest number of new infections among white gay and bisexual men (3,300; 29%) occurred in those aged 25 to 34.
Among all gay and bisexual men, black/African American gay and bisexual men accounted for 10,600 (36%) estimated new HIV infections in 2010. The largest number of new infections among black/African American gay and bisexual men (4,800; 45%) occurred in those aged 13 to 24. From 2008 to 2010 new infections increased 20% among young black/African American gay and bisexual men aged 13 to 24.
Among all gay and bisexual men, Hispanic/Latino gay and bisexual men accounted for 6,700 (22%) estimated new HIV infections in 2010. The largest number of new infections among Hispanic/Latino gay and bisexual men (3,300; 39%) occurred in those aged 25 to 34.

Page Not Found | CDC

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/gender/msm/facts/

Page Not Found | CDC

**blugiant** · 05-24-2014, 04:12 PM

Jambar 'very concerned' about UWI's firing of Prof Bain

The Jamaican Bar Association (Jambar) late Friday called on Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies Professor Nigel Harris and the leadership of UWI, "if it has not done so, to give due process" to Professor Brendan Bain.

The voluntary organisation for attorneys-at-law is the latest group to add its voice to the issue surrounding the firing of Professor Brendan Bain as director of the Regional Co-ordinating Unit of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Network, by UWI.

Professor Bain lost his job following news reports that a coalition of 33 lobby groups from across the Caribbean had called for his head because of expert testimony he gave in a constitutional challenge brought by a gay Belizean man against that country's criminal code in September 2010.

Jambar also said in its statement that it is "very concerned" about the actions at UWI.

"The legal profession routinely relies on expert testimony to advance the cases of our clients. As such we are very concerned that the actions of UWI against Bain could adversely impact on the freedom of expression by experts giving testimony in Jamaica," Jambar said.

The Jamaican Bar Association's statement on Friday in full:

The Jamaican Bar Association (“Jambar”) notes with concern a statement published by the University of the West

Indies (“UWI”) on its website dated May 20, 2014 wherein UWI sought to explain and justify the termination of Professor Brendan Bain (“Bain”).

As we understand, in summary, the events and facts leading up to the termination of Bain by UWI are as follows:

1. Bain is a medical doctor practicing in that field for over 30 years. During that time Bain has come to be regarded as a pioneer and leading expert in the Caribbean as regards clinical infectious disease (in particular HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean region). At all relevant times Bain was the Director of Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Centre (“CHART”). Bain is regarded as an expert in the field of HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean region.

2. In 2010 a case was filed in the Belize Supreme Court (Caleb Orozco and the United Belize Advocacy Movement Vs The Attorney general Of Belize) (“the Orozco Case”). The claimants in the Orozco case brought an action challenging the constitutionality of Section 53 of the Criminal Code of Belize.

3. In that case Bain prepared and submitted an expert report dated August 7, 2012 (the “Bain report”). The Bain report is some 52 pages containing a 14 page report as well as 7 exhibits attached thereto.

4. In the Orozco Case Bain presented the Bain report in his capacity as an expert in his own right and based on his years of experience. Bain expressly disassociated the Bain report from UWI and/or CHART and/or any other entity.

5. On its website the UWI statement reads (inter alia) “... the issue in question arose about two years ago in {the OrozcoCase}. Bain provided a Statement on behalf of a group of

churches seeking to retain the 1861 Law. Many authorities familiar with the Brief presented believe that Professor Bain’s testimony supported arguments for retention of the law... This opinion is shared by the lesbian, gay and other groups who are served by CHART... For the last year, there has been considerable controversy surrounding the appropriateness of Professor Brendan Bain serving as Director of CHART...”.

6. The UWI statement further reads and concludes “... While the University recognises the right of Bain to provide expert testimony in the manner he did, it has become increasingly evident that Bain has lost the confidence and support of a significant sector of the community which the CHART programme is expected to reach, including the loss of his leadership status in PANCAP, thereby undermining the ability of this programme to effectively deliver on its mandate. It is for this reason that the University of the West Indies has decided to terminate the contract of Professor Bain as Director of CHART...”.

7. Jambar is further advised that by letter dated 24th April, 2014 a coalition of various NGO’s and other groups wrote to Professor E. Nigel Harris demanding the “... removal of Bain from any leadership position in the CHART programme and all positions of representations of the University of the West Indies on issues of HIV and Aids...”. This letter was apparently written based on the fact that Bain submitted and prepared the Bain report in the Orozco case.

We do not yet know if Bain was given a fair and impartial hearing by UWI before his contract was terminated, and we will therefore refrain from commenting on that issue, except to say that he is entitled to have such an opportunity.

Firstly, our concern has to do with the reports of an apparent agenda of retaliation and retribution against Bain by persons or entities who are not pleased by the content of the Bain report. The fact is Bain is an expert in his field and whether we agree or disagree with his opinion he has provided his expert report which can be tested and challenged under the rigorous scrutiny of cross examination in the courts or (if available) other expert opinion to counter and rebut the Bain Report.

Secondly, we note the certification in the Bain report where he states (on page 14) that based on”... my professional experience together with information from research literature related to the matter under consideration. The opinions expressed in this report are mine and should not be attributed to any institution to which I am associated...” Importantly, Bain further certifies that he has been “...given no instruction by any party, by any person representing a party, or by any other person with respect to this report...”. How then, in the face of this certification, has UWI concluded that the Bain report was “...given on behalf of a group of churches...”?

Thirdly, we identify with the comments issued by the Medical Association of Jamaica (“MAJ”) where they state “...the MAJ and its members are committed to improving the health of all members of society... Our training and expertise are in science and scientific research. The veracity of a scientific conclusion should only be challenged on the basis of science and NOT on emotion or sentiment its conclusions may evoke. Statements of fact are never meant to be offensive...As an expert witness, his testimony to the court is a duty to the Court, and, is the opinion of the expert himself. He is therefore obliged to discharge his testimony truthfully and professionally. Many Doctors are asked to give expert testimony to the Courts, both locally and internationally, on a variety of areas. We sincerely hope that our responsibility under the law to the court is not under any form of attack. ...” We certainly hope not, as well.

The legal profession routinely relies on expert testimony to advance the cases of our clients. As such we are very concerned that the actions of UWI against Bain could adversely impact on the freedom of expression by experts giving testimony in Jamaica. In civil proceedings in the Supreme Court that are governed by the Civil Procedure Rules, an expert witness has a duty “to help the court impartially on the matters relevant to his or her area of expertise” and “that duty overrides any obligations to the person by whom he or she is instructed or paid”. In giving expert evidence, the information presented to the court “must be and should be seen to be, the independent product of the expert witness uninfluenced as to form or content by the demands of the litigation. An expert witness must give independent assistance to the court by way of objective unbiased opinion in relation to matters with in the expert witness’ expertise.”

In that context, Bain’s dismissal may cause such experts (many of whom reside in tenure at UWI) to become fearful to express their honest and considered belief as they may face adverse repercussions even when their thoughts are based on decades of study and research and independent of the office that they hold. This sort of retaliation against Bain may well be contemptuous of our system of justice as same could be considered as a wrongful interference in a judicial process.

Many of us studied at UWI and have taken pride in the strong regional academic experience. Regretfully, the recent academic censorship and contractual termination by UWI of Bain raises serious questions in the minds of all persons who look to UWI for independent thought and creative thinking given its position as a bastion of Caribbean research and pedagogy. We are concerned that the work and worth of Professor Bain and other leaders in other academic fields can be so easily circumscribed.

The Jamaican Bar Association calls upon Professor Nigel Harris and the leadership of UWI, if it has not done so, to give due process to Professor Bain. We remind UWI that while not all academic pursuits may lead to outcomes, hypotheses or conclusions that are desirous or popular with your constituents and donors full respect must be accorded to the process and the freedom of expression and thought that we trust will always remain a true and guarded virtue by the University of the West Indies.

BunnyCDN Node IL1-1206

http://m.jamaicaobserver.com/mobile/latestnews/Jambar--very-concerned--about-UWI-s-firing-of-Prof-Bain

**blugiant** · 05-24-2014, 04:14 PM

UWI 'spineless, sold out for 30 pieces of silver'

Bain supporters: UWI 'spineless, sold out for 30 pieces of silver'

KINGSTON, Jamaica:
The University of the West Indies (UWI) has been characterised as a spineless organisation that has been sold out for 30 pieces of silver.

The UWI is the butt of stinging criticisms from members of a group of prominent Jamaicans who assembled at the gate of the institution to protest the removal of Professor Brendan Bain as Director of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training Chart Network.

Noted Children's Advocate Betty-Ann Blaine was typically vocal as she charged that UWI had sold out well-thinking Jamaicans for 30 pieces of silver.

With tapes across their mouths to signal muzzling, the young and the old, men and women representing a range of organisations assembled at the gate of the UWI, as a team of police lingered with little to do.

They had to take the tape strips from across their mouth when they were approached by members of the media and they had a lot to say about what they described as the miscarriage of justice being meted out to Bain by the UWI administration.

Declaring that Christian principles were under siege, across the globe and was seeping into Jamaica, Blaine called for the 35 groups which had pressured UWI into letting Bain go, to declare their identities and their motives.

Blaine asserted that Bain has served the UWI as a distinguished member and scholar for many years and should not be treated in this manner.

READ: UWI fires professor amid gay lobby outrage

“University campuses are places where all views contend so who is really behind this [move to fire him] and what is their agenda.”

Added Blaine: “Whose money is it that’s being used to fund the projects of the university what are the groups that have funded the programmes?

What is their agenda and are we going to be sold out for 30 pieces of silver?” Blaine asked.

Shirley Richards, the head of the Lawyers Christian Fellowship described the Caribbean’s premier tertiary institution as spineless.

The team vowed that it will not cease as this appeared to signal the start of the trampling of the rights of well-thinking Jamaicans, particularly Christians who have made sterling contributions to nation-building.

Professor Bain's termination came after he provided a statement in a high-profile case in Belize, in which a gay man challenged the constitutionality of an 1861 law that criminalises men having sex with men (MSM).

READ: Expert report of Brendan Bain

Some 35 advocacy groups had written to the vice-chancellor of the UWI, Prof E. Nigel Harris, indicating that they had lost confidence in Bain as the head of CHART following his statement in the case.

The UWI says it had become increasingly evident that Bain has lost the confidence and support of a significant sector of the community, which the CHART programme is expected to reach.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=53016

uwi fired prof fe exposing funnee truth

uwi fired prof fe exposing funnee truth

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