Name: Dominik Bonefont
Age: 18
Place of birth: USA
Current residence: Bronx, New York, USA

My background is made up of Dominican, French and Puerto Rican. My mother was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and my father is French and Puerto Rican. My dad does not have a close bond with his family so I don’t know much about my French and Puerto Rican heritage. My mother is a very strong and positive woman; so at heart I am fully Dominican.

My interest in modelling developed when people kept asking if I modelled, but from a young age I would play dress up in my mother’s closet. I would make-up my face; wear her fancy fur coats, step into her stilettos and totter down my hallway pretending I was on the catwalk.

I’m not afraid to stand out when it comes to style.  I don’t let what other people say or think affect me.

I travel to the Dominican Republic often and the one thing I know about my hometown is that no matter how bad their situation is, people still find time to party. They don’t allow the stresses of life to stop them from living. It’s the one place where people live like there is no tomorrow. Apart from DR, I would really love to travel to Egypt because I’m intrigued by Egyptian Goddesses and their Gods.

Women are such beautiful creations. We are the givers of life and we make many sacrifices, but I love being a woman because I get to wear some amazing heels!

I am Complexd because I have a lot of love in my heart. People feel like they can confide in me because I am forgiving, I like to bring joy and I am always laughing.

Complexd Woman Annecka Marshall shared her opinions on how men and women perceive the Vagina in Jamaica (see  feature Punny Printer pages 36-41). Here she talks in-depth about gender, sex and sexuality in Jamaica.

Name: Annecka Marshall

Occupation: Lecturer in Gender and Development Studies, Mona Campus, University of the West Indies

Place of birth: England

Current residence: Jamaica

As Lecturer in Gender and Development studies, what do you teach young people in Jamaica?

 I always try to increase the awareness that diversity is a source of strength rather than a site of division. In Jamaica I encourage students to reject their preconceived ideas about patriarchy and heterosexuality. I am particularly concerned about the regulation of women’s sexuality by men. This is demonstrated by the sexual double standard whereby it is expected that men have several partners but if women do so they are chastised as whores.  It is important that young women challenge derogatory images about their sexuality and reject negative treatment. My courses support students to reclaim their sexuality and become financially independent.

Violent homophobia, lesbophobia, biphobia and transphobia lead to widespread silencing, stigma and discrimination in Jamaica. Homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender are regarded as a threat to culture, religion, politics, patriarchy, heterosexuality and the nuclear family. The virulent societal rejection of same sex desire leads to name calling, threats of physical violence, danger and harassment.  Sometimes lesbians are raped to ‘remedy’ their sexual orientation and the pressure to prove that they are not homosexual forces many men to be sexually active and to have many female partners as well as children. I teach students to debate sexual diversity because they uncritically adopt religious doctrine to justify discrimination. Students examine feminist analysis that refute their beliefs that same-sex practices are unnatural, abnormal, immoral, corrupt, perverse, diseased and evil. Sometimes students are reluctant to address sexual difference but we discuss the causes of the fear and hatred of sexually marginalised groups and how to unlearn their prejudices. This is connected to my research and activism with all-sexuals. I investigate effective interventions to decrease ignorance about all-sexuals and risky sexual behaviour.

3) Do you think young women in Jamaica have a healthy relationship with their sexuality?

Several young women describe discrepancies between their awareness of the threat of HIV/AIDS and risky sexual practices. Men are the main decision-makers in condom use. The cultural expectation that men may have multiple female sexual partners whereas women are monogamous contributes to contracting HIV/AIDS. Many young women feel vulnerable because they have not received adequate sex education. This reduces their sense of self-love and sexual fulfillment. Some women suffer risks when they attempt to initiate and control sexual encounters. Often women fear communicating their desires to their partners because men may have less respect for them and perceive them as being too knowledgeable about sex. The low self-esteem of some young women contributes to sexual exploitation because they do not feel that they can negotiate safer sex in relationships that are characterised by patriarchal power imbalance. As a result of feeling dependent on their partner some women do not feel that they have the choice to refuse unprotected sex and they are forced to have sex against their will. Young women are willing to commit to a male partner with the knowledge that they are sharing him with other women. Most of these women do not insist upon condom use and put consideration for their partner’s feelings above their own health. The absence of sexual awareness restricts their ability to define and control their own bodies.

Portrait by Courtney Chen/ Make-up by Kimberly Patterson

Name: Kandi King

Occupation: Revenue Operations Manager, Sandals Resorts

Place of birth/Current Residence: Kingston, Jamaica

I’m a “Yardie”, born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica with two loving parents and my older brother. My childhood is peppered with memories of me acting like a tomboy. There weren’t any girls in my family or neighbourhood when I was growing up so I was always forced to hang out with the boys.  I grew out of it by high school, but I still have a few boyish qualities, but my girlie ones outnumber them now!

I am currently the Revenue Operations Manager for Sandals Resorts International’s Video department. After returning to Jamaica in 2009, I got my first job with the RJR Communications Group as a Project Manager. Since then I’ve taken an avid interest in the field of communication and media production and had a stint as a Producer with the popular BET Centric lifestyle programme, Splash. The Sandals opportunity followed and I am very happy in my job.

Photographed by SKKAN Media Entertainment 

My style is a constant reflection of my mood. What I wear is based on the mood I am in when I wake up. I’d rather be overdressed than under-dressed so yes, I’m always slightly overdressed. But I don’t overdo it because I have learned that is important to look effortlessly stylish as opposed to trying-too-hard.  I’m a dress girl so my closet is filled with dresses. My favourite brands are H&M and Zara because they make chic, trendy pieces at an affordable price point. I usually don’t buy very expensive, high-end brands, but I do allow myself one splurge item every few months. It may sound a little cliché and girly, but I’m inspired by Rihanna’s style even though my wallet can’t keep up with her.

I think motherhood is the greatest blessing for any woman. Though I have none of my own, children have this amazing power to remind us of happiness and I love that! I look forward to one day experiencing this mother and child bond. On a lighter note, all it takes is a new handbag or pedicure to cheer a woman up.

Portrait by Courtney Chen/ Make-up by Kimberly Patterson

I am Complexd because no-one on this planet is me! I’m honest, confident, strong, and romantic and I think I have the gift of gab! I’ve been through a lot this year and I finally feel like I’m starting to rediscover myself. Having the ability to be resilient and regain my sincerity makes me Complexd!