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Pride and 'antiman' politics - Caribbean IRN June, July, August 2017

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Pride

In Guyana, the Judicial Service Commission responds to the complaint of Guyana Trans United about the behaviour of Magistrate Dylon Bess. Magistrate Bess had discriminated against Petronella and Twinkle Bissoon, two transgender citizens by excluding them from his courtroom on separate occasions.   In the response, the Judicial Service Commission said that there was a denial of access to justice and that Magistrate Bess agreed with the Commission.



 SASOD congratulates the Government of Guyana on their support of an OAS resolution which condemned discrimination against LGBTI citizens.

The Government of Guyana might not have intended to say they will be having a referendum on removing of the buggery laws.

Jamaica though affirms that they will only be changing the buggery laws by referendum.

St Lucia's United and Strong get to meet their Minister of Foreign Affairs in advance of the OAS resolution on LGBTI rights.

"Antiman" politics


A Jamaican man writes that Canada saved his life. Jaevion Nelson writes in the Jamaica Gleaner about the experience of the 2017 Pride Jamaica "Pride Jamaica is rewriting that narrative. It reminds us that beyond the homophobia and transphobia that are perpetrated, there are possibilities for respect, tolerance, and acceptance. It reminds us that the community is more than the type of sexual activities it engages in." The outgoing US Ambassador to Jamaica reassures them that there will be hurting of Jamaica on the 'gay stance'. The 'gay stance' though seems to hurt the Council of Churches as there are splits, as the Anglican Bishop Howard Gregory and President of the Jamaica Theological Seminary Rev Roper - support removal of the buggery laws, and for marital rape to be a crime.
In Belize, it seems that the "morality commission' also has some division, over the issues related to the decision of Caleb Orozco v AG of Belize. In Trinidad & Tobago, religious organisations seek to have their views aired on the challenge to the sodomy laws brought by Jason Jones.
A US newspaper reporter talks about the threat of US Evangelicals to the progress being made in Cuba.

Cuban activist Francisco Rodríguez Cruz refuses to attend a US Embassy IDAHO event 'over the expulsion of two Cuban diplomats'


The Jamaica Gleaner again supports the removal of the buggery laws.

In Antigua & Barbuda, the Minister of Culture takes down the multicoloured flags that people thought were rainbow flags. The Prime Minister uses the word 'Antiman' to cuss out someone and refuses to apologise.

The Haitian senate outlaws LGBT advocacy - the law is not active yet as it has to go to another vote.

 Professor Edward Akintola Hubbard writes in the UK Guardian that it was easier to impose homophobic laws than to remove them.

Events
Key West to Cuba "combines the two most desired tropical destinations in the world that embrace the LGBT community, Key West and Cuba ," with other stuff

"Intimate Conviction" is a two day conference to be held in October 2017 in Jamaica examining the church and anti-sodomy laws.

The fifth Caribbean Women and Sexual Diversity Conference will be held in Saint Lucia, from October 5-9, 2017.



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