Repeating Islands

The Trinidad Express reports that the gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender (GLBT or LGBT) people in Trinidad and Tobago are calling on the government to decriminalize homosexuality. Spokesman for the Coalition Advocating for the Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO) Colin Robinson said that the thousands of people that make up the GLBT community are tired of being treated like second-class citizens.

Robinson added that, while they appreciate the call by Gender Affairs Minister Mary King for a national debate on same-sex marriages, it is not what they need immediately, stressing that the first priority is to prevent discrimination and violence: “The government isn’t listening and has its priorities wrong. We’ve consistently given the government six national priorities–this was never one. We’ve consistently asked for action to prevent discrimination and violence, for attention to homelessness, to make schools safe for young people, to train police. We’ve repeatedly asked them to listen and consult, and offered our help with building a nation for everyone, but they have not heard us.”

Robinson said that, while being able to get married would be nice, it was really “putting the cart before the horse.” He added that, while the government does not need to amend the Sexual Offences Act or decriminalize sexual activities to protect GLBT people from discrimination and violence, “It probably would be appropriate to decriminalize some offences of sexuality and homosexual behavior before looking at the recognition of same-sex relationships.”

For original report, see http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Gays_ask_Govt_for_equal_rights__-116369784.html

Image (also see another perspective on gay pride in the Caribbean) from http://jessiegirl.blogspot.com/2010/06/spiritual-authenticity-is-true-root-of.html