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" Unite the people" - Caribbean IRN Update January, February, March, April 2023

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Unity and disunity 

'Unite the people' seems to have been the message of T.O.K as they bun their Chi-Chi-Man song even as fans and others insist they should stand their ground as many Caribbean governments continue to stand their ground. 

In Guyana , the British High Commissioner invokes  LGBTIQ+ equality and press freedom and other human rights as represents of the Government enjoy cake after Coronation of King Charles. In Guyana as well, the Government uses an image of a Pride parade to show  they endorse  'Freedom from Discrimination' as they continue to sustain the discriminatory legislation and other practices and policies. The Jamaica Observer reports on the delays in the Constitutional case brought by Maurice Tomlinson, while an Editorial in the Jamaica Gleaner recognises that the Jamaican Constitutional Reform Committee might be screening people who are in favour of LGBTIQ+ equality.

"Different Boats, Same Sea: Gender & Climate Advocacy in the Caribbean " is the title of an panel which looked at intersectional gender advocacy as part of the Caribbean Women for Climate Justice Conference 2023.

The Guyana Chronicle reports that  Guyana born Narine Dat Sookram "created history" when he advocated for an organisation to allow employees to use their pronouns on the business card. (Guyana Chronicle took down the article from its website)

The Guyana Equality Forum releases a report on hate crimes and calls for Hate Crime legislation. Roman Catholic Bishop Francis in Guyana has echoed the Pope's call to decriminalise homosexuality. SASOD in Guyana releases a report to calculate the LGBT Inclusion Index.

The Dutch Minister Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz of Justice and Security describes LGBTI in Curaçao as brave warriors.

The Caribbean legal victories are seen as slow progress.     

Cuba hosts its 2023 Pride , starting with the Conga .


LGBTQI+ lives

Armado shares a story of homelessness and returning home to Martinique; Chavez flees from  home due to homophobia 

Yaisah Val - a Christian, transgendered grandmother from Haiti and her husband Richcarde share their stories. Dillon Mohammed says one day he will be the  first gay President of Guyana.

Reverend Jevaughn Satchwell writes about giving up hope on returning to Jamaica. Pride Ja Issue 9 from Jamaica is published with theme" Celebrate Unapologetic Queerness."

Amy Li Baksh writes about "My queer return to Trinbagonian Carnival". 

In Bermuda, OutBermuda and Solstice team up to offer counselling with support from Clarien Bank


Expression

In Queens, New York - Caribbean Equality hosts Live Pridefully until 30 June, 2023.

Rae Wiltshire's Eating Papaw on the Seashore was shared internationally through the British Council's Five Films for Freedom project. ,  

The  37th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2023 featured a programme of short films which included Gyal by Ryan Persadie, Eating Papaw on the Seashore by Rae Wiltshire and Here by Regner Ramos.  BlackBoyJoyClub also screened Gyal and Eating Papaw on the Seashore with People vs Jones ;  and Sugar Free by Brittany Misir



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