A Gathering of Lesbian and Gay Writing’ for launched

Posted By Staff On August 23, 2008 @ 5:01 am In The Scene | No Comments

Two new books exploring sexual orientation and identity within the region will be launched this weekend.
A critical analysis, “Homosexuality in the Caribbean-Crawling out of the Closet,” by Grenadian Professor Claude Douglas and an anthology, “Our Caribbean: A Gathering of Lesbian and Gay Writing from the Antilles,” edited by Jamaican-American Thomas Glave will debut here on Saturday. The launch of the books is part of a programme of activities that have been organized by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) during CARIFESTA X.

Douglas’ book is currently making the rounds around the region in pursuit of generating discussion about what can at times be a controversial subject. The work is an examination of homosexuality within the English-speaking Caribbean. It looks at the realities of life as a homosexual in the region (including reactions ranging from ambivalence, tolerance to even outright violence) and it also considers the ideals that need to be achieved to foster respect regardless of sexual identity. Douglas challenges the religious/ideological bases that hold up homosexuality as the standard, while placing gay and lesbian rights in the larger context of social justice and human rights.

Hailed as “first book of its kind” and a “brave and necessary work,” the anthology is a collection of fiction, non-fiction and poetry by writers from across the region and in the Diaspora. It includes first-time translations of pieces that have been published in Spanish, Dutch and Creole languages. The thirty-seven contributors range from relative unknowns to a number of acclaimed authors from the Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, Suriname, and Trinidad. They include: Reinaldo Arenas, Audre Lorde, Achy Obejas, Assotto Saint, José Alcántara Almánzar, Michelle Cliff and Dionne Brand. Although many of the writers have lived outside the Caribbean, selections on religion, family, race and class trace the stories of gay, lesbian and transgender and life in the Caribbean.

Glave is a founding member of the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-flag). He is also the author of “Whose Song? and Other Stories” and the essay collection “Words to Our Now: Imagination and Dissent.” He describes the anthology as “a book that I and others have been waiting for and have wanted for all our lives.”

Neither Douglas nor Glave will be present at the launchings, but there are plans to hold discussions some of the contributors to the anthology via telephone.

SASOD is a right’s group that has been working to raise awareness about homophobia and to promote health education. The group’s CARIFESTA activities are intended to celebrate diversity within the region and in particular to highlight the reality that the Caribbean is not homogenous when dealing with matter of same sex love and desire. So far SASOD has received a positive reaction from people who feel it is highlighting issues that need to be ventilated.

The books will be launched at the Oasis Too cafe at 10 am. Admission is free. A full programme of SASOD’s CARIFESTA activities is available at its website, www.sasod.org.gy

I am honored you put me in such esteemed company but unfortunately, I cannot take credit for the work of others.

quote:

Originally posted by D2:
I am honored you put me in such esteemed company but unfortunately, I cannot take credit for the work of others.

Such charactistic D2 modesty.

Suh I take it you were the subject matter then since you weren't the author?

quote:

Originally posted by JoKer:

quote:

Originally posted by D2:
I am honored you put me in such esteemed company but unfortunately, I cannot take credit for the work of others.

Such charactistic D2 modesty.

Suh I take it you were the subject matter then since you weren't the author?

Sorry, your interests and mine do not coincide.

quote:

Originally posted by D2:

quote:

Originally posted by JoKer:

quote:

Originally posted by D2:
I am honored you put me in such esteemed company but unfortunately, I cannot take credit for the work of others.

Such charactistic D2 modesty.

Suh I take it you were the subject matter then since you weren't the author?

Sorry, your interests and mine do not coincide.

I throught you were my senior commissioned officer in your capacity as Commander, ISAF???

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I throught you were my senior commissioned officer in your capacity as Commander, ISAF???

Commander of Commanders!!!!

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Originally posted by BONUS:

quote:

I throught you were my senior commissioned officer in your capacity as Commander, ISAF???

Commander of Commanders!!!!

You're right the Commander of ISAF (Afghanistan) is only a mere lowly Major General. Not a six star Generallisimo like size 2D.

I am sure as we speak this man is behind his keyboard digging. Dirt on you...but you already have lots and lots of dirt.

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
I am sure as we speak this man is behind his keyboard digging. Dirt on you...but you already have lots and lots of dirt.

whats he gonna do? complain to the Pentagon that they shouldn't give me an opportunity to get killed here in Afghanistan???

maybe he'll get me recalled to the States??

quote:

Originally posted by JoKer:

quote:

Originally posted by D2:

quote:

Originally posted by JoKer:

quote:

Originally posted by D2:
I am honored you put me in such esteemed company but unfortunately, I cannot take credit for the work of others.

Such charactistic D2 modesty.

Suh I take it you were the subject matter then since you weren't the author?

Sorry, your interests and mine do not coincide.

I throught you were my senior commissioned officer in your capacity as Commander, ISAF???

It does your puny mind good to rattle off these fantasies, be my guest. The only reality is me as I am and you as you are and there is a chasm between us.

quote:

Originally posted by JoKer:

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
I am sure as we speak this man is behind his keyboard digging. Dirt on you...but you already have lots and lots of dirt.

whats he gonna do? complain to the Pentagon that they shouldn't give me an opportunity to get killed here in Afghanistan???

maybe he'll get me recalled to the States??

Back it up on his hard drive for when you will be launching that political career.

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
I am sure as we speak this man is behind his keyboard digging. Dirt on you...but you already have lots and lots of dirt.

I do nt have to dig dirt on anyone you are what you are. Notice I did not take you up on that slight to my wife? Truth is a bitch and each of us live with ourselves.

quote:

Originally posted by D2:
The only reality is me as I am and you as you are and there is a chasm between us.

I can agree with you there 100%.

I'm a man and you're a p%$#y (insert graemlin fuh dah)

quote:

Originally posted by D2:

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
I am sure as we speak this man is behind his keyboard digging. Dirt on you...but you already have lots and lots of dirt.

I do nt have to dig dirt on anyone you are what you are. Notice I did not take you up on that slight to my wife? Truth is a bitch and each of us live with ourselves.

Excuse me,I did not make any mention of your wife. I just posted a name. You have a thin skin.

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:

quote:

Originally posted by D2:

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
I am sure as we speak this man is behind his keyboard digging. Dirt on you...but you already have lots and lots of dirt.

I do nt have to dig dirt on anyone you are what you are. Notice I did not take you up on that slight to my wife? Truth is a bitch and each of us live with ourselves.

Excuse me,I did not make any mention of your wife. I just posted a name. You have a thin skin.

truth huts baad bai!

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truth huts baad bai!

Like you know something we don't?

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Originally posted by BONUS:

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truth huts baad bai!

Like you know something we don't?

this place is hilarious man...one impotent buck making fun of a soldier in a war zone....one white man's pony criticizing another white man's pony.....gni is never dull.

quote:

one white man's pony criticizing another white man's pony.....gni is never dull.

Names boi..names...

quote:

Originally posted by JoKer:

quote:

Originally posted by D2:
The only reality is me as I am and you as you are and there is a chasm between us.

I can agree with you there 100%.

I'm a man and you're a p%$#y (insert graemlin fuh dah)

dude, dont give a damn what you think. The reality is your benchmarks don't matter.

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:

quote:

Originally posted by D2:

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
I am sure as we speak this man is behind his keyboard digging. Dirt on you...but you already have lots and lots of dirt.

I do nt have to dig dirt on anyone you are what you are. Notice I did not take you up on that slight to my wife? Truth is a bitch and each of us live with ourselves.

Excuse me,I did not make any mention of your wife. I just posted a name. You have a thin skin.

Why would I have a thin skin? I was just contemplating the irony of the matter.

quote:

Originally posted by JoKer:

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:

quote:

truth huts baad bai!

Like you know something we don't?

this place is hilarious man...one impotent buck making fun of a soldier in a war zone....one white man's pony criticizing another white man's pony.....gni is never dull.

don't know what you mean bu a white man's pony but then again it does not matter. I am just humoring you by responding