Shelter coming for homeless gays

Following months of complaints from residents in New Kingston about a group of homeless gay men terrorising their community, there are now plans to build a home for the young men.



The proposed shelter, Dwayne’s House, which is being named after 17-year-old cross-dresser, Dwayne Jones, who was reportedly killed by a mob in July, is said to be in its initial stages.



Human rights activist Yvonne McCalla Sobers said since October a group of activists and attorneys have been working at creating a space for the mostly teenage males who were chased out of their communities and now occupy the sewers and gullies in New Kingston.



At the beginning of this month, police raided one of the gullies that the men are said to be occupying in New Kingston and several stolen items were reportedly confiscated from the site.



McCalla Sobers said the group was working with various stakeholders to identify a secure location and funding for the construction of the home.



The shelter will reportedly cost close to $16 million to construct and will initially cater to 17 to 20 persons.



However, while the activist said the home might not be able to accommodate them all in the first stage of the project.



Representatives from the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays says more than 40 persons who were either kicked out of their homes by family members or had to flee attacks from their communities have sought assistance from the group.



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