The Editor, Sir:

Recent discussions on Rampin' Shop and MP Ernie Smith's comments have exposed some gaps in public awareness of sex and sexuality. For example:

Children are sexual beings. They are often involved in genital touching or in sex games such as 'doctor' or 'mom and dad'. If their sexual curiosity is not satisfied in open and honest communication with caring adults, they will rely on whatever alternatives they find.

Rough sex happens in private between consenting adults. However, not all private acts need to be aired in prime time or paraded on the streets of Kingston.

Coerced sex happens where one party does not consent to be penetrated. This is rape, and against the law, even if the offender is a kind uncle or a pillar of the church.

Sexual assault is not about lust or sexual attraction. It is about anger, violence, control, and domination. Rapists who identify as heterosexual (and homophobic) will target males because taking away a man's masculinity gives a greater sense of power.

Homosexuality is not against the law in Jamaica, contrary to opinions expressed by some eminent and influential attorneys.

Buggery is defined as anal intercourse between a man and a woman, or between two men. (Section 765 of The Offences Against the people Act). To prove buggery, the state needs to invade people's private spaces and then run forensic tests to prove that intercourse took place.

Being gay is not defined by who has sex with whom, but by who is emotionally attracted to whom. Persons who identify as gay can have heterosexual intercourse even though they are emotionally aroused by the same sex.

Some straight men (sometimes described as being on the 'down low') have sex with men. And some gay men do not engage in sex. They find other ways of sexual stimulation.

Effeminacy is defined as not conforming to male gender roles. It is not impaired maleness and does not necessarily connote homosexuality. Many gay men, or men uncertain about their sexuality, abhor effeminacy as a threat to their masculinity.

Macho men can be homosexual. Aggressively male cultures can, therefore, provide cover for closeted gays.

It is possible that our children may be more corrupted by hypocrisy about sex, than by conversations addressing sex and sexuality in explicit and accurate terms.

I am, etc.,

YVONNE MCCALLA

SOBERS

sobersy@yahoo.com