In the Caribbean, 16 officers from the Royal Barbados Police Force took part in sensitivity training sessions aimed at helping them to improve their understanding LGBTI people and the local LGBTI community, the Nation News of Barbados reports. Continue reading
From Jamaica, activist Maurice Tomlinson describes an encouraging incident on the long road toward fair treatment for Jamaica’s LGBTI citizens: Am I married? Recently I went to renew my Jamaican passport in Kingston and I was pleasantly surprised at the conversation with the customer service agent. It is reproduced below: Passport Officer: “So, are you … Continue reading
After a recent screening of “The Abominable Crime” film in Mandeville, Jamaica, an ally asked the following questions that I have had to answer repeatedly. You may have heard them yourself: Q. If you call Tom your “husband,” what does he call you? A. “Husband,” “partner” or “Maurice.” It depends. Q. Why don’t you both … Continue reading
On Tuesday, April 26, I will be back in court as part of my ongoing constitutional challenge to the Jamaican anti-sodomy law. At that time nine faith groups will be seeking to join the government in defending the law. They claim that consenting adults like me and my husband, Tom, must be sent to prison … Continue reading
The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network reports: Increasing the visibility of LGBTI people and their rights in the Caribbean Two separate, but related events supported by the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network took place in the Caribbean last week: Police LGBTI Sensitization Training in Antigua and Barbuda from November 24–27 and The launch of the Barbados Pride … Continue reading
The Caribbean is the only region in the Western Hemisphere that still criminalizes same-gender intimacy. Recently, fundamentalist religious groups across the region have mounted large demonstrations condemning homosexuality, and appear to have successfully lobbied local governments to keep these British colonially imposed anti-gay laws. Not coincidentally, attacks often occur against LGBTI people, most recently a … Continue reading
