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Faith, politics, hope - Caribbean IRN Update April , May 2017

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Left : Cropped image of Mariela Castro in IDAHOT 2017 via Ontop mag, Right : Cropped Image from Bermuda via Caribbean 360

Colin Robinson writes from Trinidad to Guyana to hold out faith in the leaders and citizens will reject the idea of a referendum to 'legalise homosexuality'. The Attorney General of Guyana and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana had talked about the Government's reluctance to 'legalise homosexuality'


In Guyana, the Anglican Diocese convenes its Human Rights & Social Justice Commission which is expected to "work assiduously to confront social issues .. such as discrimination (racial, against persons living with disabilities, sexual orientation and gender identity and torture) ..."


 A gay Canadian couple get engaged in Antigua where 'homosexuality is still illegal', while in the Bahamas a gay tourists man is attacked at Junkanoo.  Bermuda will will allow same sex marriage, after a case which was initiated by a 'Toronto based couple'. The couple could not wait for the license though in Bermuda, and went back to get married in Canada. Cruise Liners welcomed the decision as they could now expand their range of wedding packages in paradise.

Preserve Marriage and others  protest.  Bermudan footballers were reminded that there was no tolerance for homophobia.

Caymanians are urged to test their laws after the ruling in Bermuda. Colours Cayman petitions the EU to push UK for LGBT rights in the Cayman Islands.

Maurice Tomlinson,  Jason Jones and Nigel Maithlin participated in an event in Canada in which they 'asked for support  , not salvation" . Nigel Maithlin is from Grenada, where the PM Mitchell came under fire for homophobia
 Belizean Caleb Orozco receives the Felipe DeSousa Award from OutRight Action International .

In Cuba, First Daughter Mariela Castro leads about 2000 people on a celebratory march for LGBTI freedom while Nelson Gandulla, President of the Cuban Foundation for LGBTI Rights reports on the persecution he faces for criticising Ms Castro.  He was not allowed to meet with the "LGBTQ Americans" who visited Cuba.

Cuba also held its first 'Transgender Mass' .  Cuba though is deemed unsafe for LGBT asylum seekers to the Netherlands. Trinidad and Tobago is deemed safe, as Colin Robinson writes about the violence.

The 2017 Ansa McAl Caribbean awardees include Dr Arif Bulkan who is described in a St Lucia Times report as "an advocate attorney who has launched potentially paradigm altering cases in granting gender rights to the LGBT community in the region via litigation in Belize and Guyana. " Dr Bulkan is part of the U-RAP team.



The Jamaican Gleaner writes an editorial  "Step and save the gay gully boys" (and not Gully Queens as used by other media) the Stabroek News in Guyana writes against the referendum on the 'buggery laws'.
In Barbados, Barbados Today hopes that Barbadians can talk honestly about same sex relations.

They report on the work of Shari-Innis Grant.  They do not report on Barbados as  a Battleground where "a murderers’ row of homophobic speakers" convened to stop Barbados and the Caribbean becoming a "haven for feminism and gay rights". Minister of the Environment Dr Lowe affirmed his homophobia and lack of support for gay marriage.  His colleague though, the Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs, Adriel Braithwaite stated through the Government Information Services that gay persons are not persecuted in Barbados.


In Trinidad & Tobago, Newsday reports on the Pride Arts Festival organised by I Am One. Colin Robinson wrote about

In Guyana, Guybow, Guyana Trans United and SASOD had public activities to celebrate Pride. SASOD releases a social media campaign sharing coming out stories

The 8th KASHSIH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival in India features films from Aruba, Cuba, and Trinidad & Tobago.

Jamaican Mista Majah joins  in a Rainbow Riots music release. Equal Rights to Love.

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