Timeline lacking as Trinidad pushes for LGBT rights
In response to a letter from the UK-based LGBT advocacy group, Kaleidoscope Trust, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has stated that the country’s new Gender Policy will include increased recognition of the human rights of LGBT individuals.
As a result, there will likely be a repeal of anachronistic anti-gay legislation such as Section 8 of the country’s Immigration Act, which bans the entry of homosexuals.
I am encouraged by this statement by the Trinidadian Prime Minister and congratulate LGBT groups in the country, such as I Am One and CAISO, along with all the other national, regional and international players that made it possible.
However, I am anxious to see an actual timeline for the implementation of this policy, besides a moving target of “coming months.” We certainly don’t want this to be a repeat of the Jamaican Prime Minister’s promised parliamentary conscience vote on the review of the anti-buggery law. Jamaica’s Minister of Information recently announced that this vote has been placed at the “bottom of the [legislative] pile” (read: not up for serious discussion) by her administration.
Related articles
- Trinidad moves toward protecting gay rights (76crimes.com)
- PM promises rights for gays in gender policy (Guardian.co.tt)
- History lesson: Jamaica ‘in violation of human rights obligations’ (76crimes.com)
Reblogged this on Goaty's News.
Thanks Maurice. We are trying to get more information. All has gone quiet at the moment so it’s a wait and see time…..