Word of women’s shelters good news, but…
Dear Editor,
A few weeks ago, the PR minister announced prioritising the opening of three new women’s centres throughout the island. While we applaud this effort, the real question is: Will these shelters be trans-inclusive?
Trans women are one of the most vulnerable groups that exist in our society with several trans women being made homeless. According to statistics recorded in March 2015, there are 1,418 homeless people living in Jamaica with the majority living in Kingston and St Andrew. Of course, among that number are individuals of trans experience; however, there’s barely any perceived number of trans-identified people affected by homelessness.
Moreover, individuals of trans experience face a double whammy. While homeless because of their real or perceived gender identity and the forms of gender expression that comes with it, there is a lack of legislation that addresses attacks of any kind towards the trans community.
Over the past few years, there have been several reports of acts of transphobic violence due to their gender identity. In a 2015 Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays survey of 316 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Jamaicans, 43 per cent of the respondents reported receiving threats of physical violence. In the last five years 18 per cent reported being threatened with sexual violence. You can think of the many stories involving young teenagers and adolescents such as Dwayne Jones in 2013; in 2014 when a trans-identified teen was almost mobbed in Clarendon; and in 2016 a woman of trans experience was beaten and thrown in the gully. These stories are heart-rending, to say the least, and show how slow-progressing we are as a country.
It is uncanny to note that there hasn’t been a clear outline of the money allocated by the Government for the three new shelters for victims of domestic violence. Accompanying these three shelters should be legislation that addresses discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. A primary example to imitate or model is Britain’s Equality Act which addresses people of trans experience, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, sex, being pregnant, and being married or in a civil relationship; these are known as protected characteristics of the law.
It is my hope that these shelters become a reality for all vulnerable groups affected, including the local trans-identified community, and any other person that has been stigmatised or marginalised in our society.
Barrington Walsh Jr
Youth advocate
orlandowalsh1@gmail.com