Imagination , reality - Caribbean IRN September 2017

(Left) Winston Goodwin and Greg De Roche by Callie Nicole Photograph from Royal Bermuda Gazette;, Right Premier Eugene Eugene Rhuggenaath from Curacao Chronicle

September 2017 was the month for the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in different parts of the Caribbean.

Bermuda and marriage
A gay couple though said they had a nice wedding and thanked Bermudans for their hospitality. The Bermudans also have to pay the costs associated with the case brought by Winston Godwin and Greg DeRoche to allow gay marriage in Bermuda

A Progressive Labour MP is planning to re-ban gay marriage. The Minister of Health is the lawyer for people who want to appeal the court decision.

The lack of access to health care for vulnerable groups is the reason for the call to End Sodomy Laws by PANCAP.

The First Lady of Guyana, Mrs Sandra Granger,  believes "...rights are rights” and in order to build a cohesive society we must respect and value each other regardless of race, creed or sexual orientation"..





Belizeans and Obama and Trump
An Amandala editorial in Belize states that "Belizeans have descended into an abyss of drinks, drugs and debauchery, and at the same time Belizeans have become dramatically more violent and murderous. While we Belizeans were grappling with what appeared to be a breakdown of our traditional values and mores, it appeared that when Barack Obama thought of Belize, if he ever did, all he could think of was pushing his LGBT agenda.

It was because of Barack’s LGBT obsession that Belize’s Christian extremists welcomed the Donald Trump presidency. But the core of the American population which elected Trump to the presidency is a racist, hate-filled, white supremacist core."

Are other Christians in the Caribbean rethinking their support of Trump?

Rajiv Mohabir writes "I am able to imagine the story of Nabibaksh and Muhungu — the two men who were caught on deck having sex. I color the British accounts with affect, an affect that is my cultural inheritance." in a blog "Coolie Woman and trans-creation" .

Nicole Dennis-Benn who was born in Jamaica writes about Who's allowed to hold hands in Public in New York.

Curaçao

The Premier Eugene Rhuggenaath  of Curaçao calls for respect of all citizens as he opens Pride Week. He said "On the day I was elected, I expressed that I would be the prime minister of EVERYBODY. EVERYBODY includes ALL citizens of our dushi Korsou regardless of the colour of their skin, background, income, surroundings, religious beliefs and yes….also sexual orientation."

The Fifth Pride reportedly broke all records


Montego Bay Pride will be in October.

Suriname also has a Pride Month in October


Law and LGBTI
The Faculty of Law at the University of West Indies St Augustine Campus held a panel discussion on 28th September, 2017 . The video recording of Towards Sexual Equality : Dismantling Discrimination in Law and Practices is available

Intimate Conviction is the title of a 2 day conference in Jamaica which will address the Church and anti-sodomy laws.




Don't forget to check our collection at Caribbean Sexualities – Love | Hope | Community – Sexualities & Social Justice in the Caribbean , The collection includes selected pieces from the Sargasso Print Edition, as well as special online features, including "Write It In Fire - Tributes to Michelle Cliff" (prose, poetry, visual and performance art).