Caribbean gay
Why are Some Countries in the Caribbean Dangerous Places to be LGBTQI+?
The Caribbean is a region of great cultural and linguistic diversity, but there’s something that unites many of its countries.
Today, in nine Caribbean countries, same-sex affection is still criminalized through what are called “gross indecency” laws. These laws criminalize same-sex affection between men.
These nine countries share something else in usual – they were formerly British colonies. So, what’s the connection between a historical tie to Britain and the ongoing criminalization of LGBTQI+ people in these countries today?
When the British colonized these islands, they imposed their Victorian laws and morality. Among these were “gross indecency” laws. Today, these laws remain on the books, contributing to the legal persecution of men who have sex with men.
But, the effects of these laws are not just felt by male lover and bi men. Their continued presence, whether they are enforced or not, helps maintain a hostile social climate for all LGBTQI+ people.
Situation on the Ground
LGBTQI+ people in the Caribbean exposure high levels of direct violence compared with other regions of the planet. In fact
Trinidad and Tobago recriminalises gay sex in case that could acquire impact across the Caribbean
TL;DR: An appeal court in Trinidad and Tobago has overturned a court ruling that helped multiple countries across the Caribbean overturn colonially rooted laws that made homosexual intamacy illegal. The country will now punish gay sex with prison terms.
An appeals court in Trinidad and Tobago recriminalised consensual same-sex relations in the country this week, in a devastating turn of events for LGBTQIA+ people right across the Caribbean.
It reverses a landmark conclusion made by the High Court in 2018 to overturn a law with roots in colonial 'buggery' laws. The original case argued that Sections 13 and 16 of the country’s Sexual Offences Act were unconstitutional. The High Court agreed, ruling that the laws violated the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
However, this week, after an appeal by the Attorney General, the Court of Appeal reinstated the criminalisation. In the process, it reduced the sentence down from 25 years to five years’ imprisonment -GCN
The activist behind many of the challenges to anti-LGBTQIA+ laws across the Caribbean, Jason Jones - last year'sUK Black FacebookEmailXLinkedInRedditBlueskyWhatsAppCopy linkImpact Link This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? . As travelers develop more judicious with their cash and PTO, I regularly find myself assessing how truly queer-friendly and safe a destination is before recommending it to others, or planning a trip myself. The Caribbean is one region I send back again The thirty-seven authors hail from the Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, Suriname, and Trinidad. Many have lived outside the Caribbean, and their writing depicts histories of voluntary migration as well as exile from repressive governments, communities, and families. Many pieces possess a political
I'm a gay move writer and deliberate these are the 5 safest, most queer-friendly Caribbean explore destinations
I'm a white, cisgender gay travel author. And while my experience could never reflect that of all queer people, I have set up the Caribbean to be among the safest and friendliest places for LGBTQIA+ travelers.
Our Caribbean: A Gathering of Lesbian and Male lover Writing from the Antilles