CARIMAC Times 2016: The JREAM Edition Journalists Reviving Awareness of what Matters | Page 101

system, Burton found help in other aspects
of her life while homeless, particularly from
various agencies, clinics and centres — Food
for the Poor, Open Arms, Poor Relief, JASL,
J-FLAG, Red Cross, and Mona Baptist Church.
Burton started going to the Mona Baptist
Church when she officially came out, and said,
despite their acknowledgement of her identity
as “sin”, they have embraced her.
“They respond very well… They never really
tried to discriminate me. They tried to use
scriptures that empower me, like ‘God loves
you, you’re not different from anyone else’.”
Burton said people are often surprised when she
tells them she is a Christian, and she recalled
one woman who scorned her as if she was not
worthy of the title.

One day, the elder woman became adamant.
“She carried me down Boys’ Town, and at first
I was so scared of starting school, because of
where the school was located,” Burton said, “I
was afraid, but she carried me in. She talked
to the teachers ... And I started off then.”
Burton studied food preparation and took her
reports to her new provider, who continued
supplying her with money. Over time Burton
finished level one, level two, and to her own
surprise, level three.
“I said: ‘Oh my God, I have achieved something
in life’, because I did not waste all that time
sitting around,” she said, grinning, “I just went
back to school and did something and this is
what I got.”
But, Burton said her friend never returned to
their spot.

“She called it sin, like me worse… But I have
proven over the years that [God] has answered
my prayers, because where I was coming
from and where am I now, I can say, ‘Yes, He
answered my prayers’.”

“I would search the whole Jamaica to find that
lady to tell her thanks, because, trust me, she
made a difference in my life,” she said tearfully.

Her greatest blessing came in her teenage
years. Burton chuckled as she began telling the
story of a woman she met who refused to give
her money unless she started school. At first,
Burton agreed to the woman’s request, but
school was the last thing on her mind. Often,
the woman visited the park where Burton slept,
asking if she went to school.

After gaining her certificate, Burton began
volunteering. Later, she searched for employment,
and found work at JASL, Red Cross, the National
Council on Drug Abuse, among others. But
the stigma of being transgender still followed
her success. She recalled working at a private
organisation and presenting as female, much
to the chagrin of her co-workers and employer.

“... I never planned to go down to no school and
register. Every day I’d give her another story,”
Burton said.

“You know that you get call in office immediately,
and the whole place get turn upside down.
They want to tell you that, ‘I think we have to
discontinue your service’, and they find all kind

97