Elton John Foundation sponsors transgender event in St Thomas

Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL), in collaboration with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, is set to host a transgender and men who have sex with men (MSM) event in St Thomas on Thursday, July 8.

The event called ‘Summer Explosion’ is aimed at encouraging HIV testing and outreach, which event organisers say is absolutely necessary as the lack of testing among members of this community has set back the 35-year-long fight against AIDS.

Details of the event are unclear but organisers are encouraging   ‘queens’ and ‘kings’ - terminology in the community to describe flamboyant or effeminate gay men - “to come out in all their glory.”

While the venue location has not yet been announced, transportation will be provided for interested transgendered women who meet certain requirements.

Admission for the event is a HIV test and there will be free refreshments and entertainment. It is said to be the first transgender and MSM event in Jamaica.

Elton John is a  celebrated British rock musician who is gay. He set up the Elton John Foundation in 1992 to support HIV prevention programmes, direct care and support services for people living with the disease.