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Buggery. ganja and municipal declarations against homophobia - Caribbean IRN Update April 2014

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In Belize, Vanessa, a transgender woman is stoned by a mob as is reported in this news report.

 

UNIBAM writes about the connection between religion and politics and discrimination against LGBT, UNIBAM also  challenged the Government of Belize at the IACHR hearing.

 Civil society organisations from Jamaica also spoke to the IACHR hearing of the lack of action of the Jamaican Government to different abuses against LGBT.

However, the Government has been talking. The Leader of the Opposition of Jamaica asked for a Referendum on the laws against buggery and ganja. In cross talk with she said that she asked a Minister to meet with the LGBT community. Meanwhile, the Minister responsible for youth said her ministry would be developing programmes for LGBT youth.
The Jamaican Minister of Health notes that cultural and religious beliefs drive stigma and discrimination with respect to HIV & AIDS , while no reports are made about what he plans to do about that. In response to stigma and discrimination, two Municipalities in Guyana - Linden and New Amsterdam sign a critical declaration which


Text of Municipal Declaration signed by the municipalities of Linden and New Amsterdam.
The Municipal Declarations of the Mayor and Councilors of the Town of New Amsterdam and Linden reflect the fundamental principle of respect for the human rights of all those who suffer from stigma and discrimination and reaffirms the spirit of the universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support under a human rights framework as we collectively work to wards getting to Zero.
In this its first declaration on HIV and AIDS, the Mayor and Town Council shall:
  • Work with all local and national stakeholders to strengthen partnerships on HIV and AIDS
  • Support and Promote 24 hours access to HIV Counselling and Testing
  • Renounce stigma and discrimination against persons infected or affected by HIV/AIDS at all levels – schools, workplace and community
  • Respect the dignity and worth of every person, without distinction on the basis of race, colour, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, religion, property, birth or other status
  • Renounce homophobia and support the rights and dignity of all persons regardless of their gender, sexuality or employment to care, treatment and support as human rights
  • Encourage the participation of all stakeholders within the municipality in the decision making processes

Signatories to the Declaration: Mayor and Councilors  [Linden and New Amsterdam ]
The signing ceremony included supportive presentations from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Local Government. (Program on the Digitial Library of the Caribbean IRN collection_)

Miridom in Dominica produces a video about its challenge to the Government under the Universal Periodic Review process.



St Lucia's United & Strong joins with the Ministry of Youth to discuss Human Rights Education. http://youtu.be/hSGxZdyXbCA 


Guyanese born singer Nhojj discusses the LGBT activism in Guyana on Huff Post Live.  In Guyana, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran writes about the rulings in India and transgender justice in Guyana.

The brochure from the Stand Against Transphobia exhibition in Guyana is available from SASOD


JFLAG invites persons to the Jamaica LGBT Symposium 2014: Personhood, Sexual Citizenship and Religion


In Trinidad & Tobago, the visit by the parents of Matthew Shepherd, an American who was killed in a hate crime, generates discussion reported in the Guardian and the Express. This was part of a campaign supported by the US Embassy.  TV6 in Trinidad also starts a series about LGBT lives. 


In Cuba, the 2014 Conference of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (LAC) will take place in May.



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