Homophobic Harlem shakes, Commentary, LGBT Citizenship : Caribbean IRN Update February, March 2013

The work and activism for (and against) LGBT equality in the Caribbean continues to be varied and interesting.

In March, the Jamaican Love March produced their own Harlem Shake (which was later removed) . The group later offered an interesting apology .
In Jamaica as well, JFLAG continued its advocacy work with the sharing of the memes created by their advocacy team. These are

Dadland Maye http://bit.ly/ZTtyfm
Diana King http://on.fb.me/11fu1Lw
Dwayne Brown http://on.fb.me/1007wsO
Javed Jaghai http://bit.ly/Zw92UF
Larry Chang http://bit.ly/13bNbXP
Staceyann Chin http://on.fb.me/16JrMEf
Thomas Glave http://on.fb.me/YX7ymo

International Women's Day 2013 also had this meme from Tanya Stephens and commentary published from Zenita Nicholson/SASOD in Guyana.

JFLAG also launched their comprehensive video with Javed Jaghai on Human Rights in Jamaica.

The 'We are Jamaican' project added powerful new video messages from LGBT people who assert their own citizenship.

Depending on where you stand on revolution, some might be heartened to read of the laments about the 'Vicious gays marauding in New Kingston, Jamaica', and to note that the violence is condemned by JFLAG. Annie Paul discusses this issue on her blog.

In Guyana, religious leaders discussed homosexuality, and rape. Demerara Waves reports on these views
Homosexuality not abomination; women's clothing don't invite rape-Swami Aksharananda and Men must be fully responsible for rape; gays should be helped out of sin- Muslim cleric .

In the Bahamas, the Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese also calls for the protection of 'lesbians and gays' in the Bahamian constitution, while being cautious on same sex marriage.

The work for equality in the Caribbean includes training and awareness raising. In Jamaica, the University of Technology agrees to do sensitivity training, and in Barbados, AIDS Free World and other groups work engage disciplined services and others.

In Trinidad & Tobago, LGBT issues continue to be aired in the media with Athalia Samuels' call for "A place for all" , Robert Lalah's question in the Jamaica Gleaner and Colin Robinson's update on ieTV.

The Caribbean IRN archival collection on the Digital Library of the Caribbean now hosts audio recordings from the public forum held in Guyana on 7 June 2003 by the 'Students Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination' for interaction with the Members of Parliament.

Please feel free to send your materials for addition to this archive.

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JFLAG at 15, Mandela, Sizzla and Usain Bolt in a dress - Caribbean IRN Update December 2013

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Antigua and Barbuda Orden David and Women against Rape challenged the constitutionality of the laws which criminalised homosexuality in Antigua and Barbuda. The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the High Court of Justice ruled the laws unconstitutional. SASOD in Guyana claimed this a s a victory for all Caribbean people. CariFLAGS also welcomed the ruling, as did ECADE . The Caribbean Observatory on Sexual and Reproductive Health a nd Rights also praised the judgement. Citizenship In Cuba, a September Referendum on the new Family Code would be done to get the 'people's decision' on same-sex marriage and adoption by LGBTIQ+ families among other things. In the BVI , the BVI Christian Council lost their appeal in dealing with a same-sex marriage case. The Montserrat Christian Council said they oppose same sex marriage as the UK tries to make it legal in the overseas territories. A gender neutral person Natino Thompson questions Bahamas' Prime Minister Davis ab

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