Human Rights Watch: Anti-gay laws promote vlence, discrimatn St. Vcent

gay rights in the caribbean

A report om Human Rights Watch lls on the ernment of St. Vcent to overturn lonial-era anti-gay laws that have led to a recent wave of vlence and genr discrimatn on the small Caribbean island.

Contents:

ACTIVISTS NMN VLENCE AGAST LGBTQ MUNY ST. VCENT, WHERE GAY SEX IS ILLEGAL

Several Caribbean natns have stck down laws crimalizg same-sex relatns recent years. Courts Belize 2016 and Tridad and Tobago 2018 found such laws unnstutnal. Last year, a Caribbean urt also clared some provisns of Antigua and Barbuda’s “Sexual Offenc Act” unnstutnal. Sce the lg, St. Kts & Nevis and Barbados stck down siar laws that often sought long prison sentenc. But discrimatn agast LGBTQ people persists across the nservative and mostly Christian Caribbean. Some relig lears oppose the aboln of anti-gay laws, vokg God their arguments. Human rights groups say same-sex nsensual timacy is still crimalized six Caribbean untri. * gay rights in the caribbean *

Vcent and the Grenad, where gay sex is still homelsns to ongog physil and verbal abe, the gay muny the small natn of some 100, 000 people says is unr nstant threat. Vcent, anal sex is punishable by up to 10 years prison, while “gross cency” wh another person of the same sex is punishable by up to five years, acrdg to lonial-era laws that are mon the socially nservative Caribbean rarely voked, the rights group and a lol activist said the laws help legimize hostily and abe agast gay people. ”Human Rights Watch terviewed more than 20 members of the island’s LGBTQ muny who shared their stori but were not intified to protect them, notg that lol police are often openly discrimatory toward gay people who seek help.

Several reported that their fai are homophobic and physilly and verbally abed them, g them to bee homels and promptg some to nsir also stggle to fd jobs amid a high unemployment rate and said they face discrimatn, cludg a 19-year-old gay man who said he has rorted to beggg: “Sometim I am so hungry.

”González wh Human Rights Watch noted that 2019, the ernment held a workshop for public employe on the importance of rpectg gay rights, a rare move for a nservative Caribbean natn.

HOMOSEXUALY IS STILL ILLEGAL IN THE 9 CARIBBEAN COUNTRITRIDAD REPEALED S BAN ON GAY SEX THIS MONTH, AND THERE IS CREASED PRSURE ON OTHER COMMONWEALTH UNTRI TO FOLLOW {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY JEFF TAYLORAPRIL 23, 2018/2:49 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:2571PX;WIDTH:3829PX;}ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/GETTY IMAGA MEMBER OF JAMAI'S GAY MUNY TAK PART THE FIRST TERNATNAL MARCH AGAST STIGMA, DISCRIMATN AND HOMOPHOBIA, MEXI CY, ON AUGT 2, 2008, THE AMEWORK OF THE XVII INTERNATNAL AIDS/HIV CONFERENCE WHICH WILL START ON AUGT 3.. AFP PHOTO/ALEDO ESTRELLA (PHOTO CRED SHOULD READ ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/GETTY IMAG)BY JEFF TAYLORAPRIL 23, 2018 / 2:49 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"HOMOSEXUALY IS STILL ILLEGAL IN THE 9 CARIBBEAN COUNTRI","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2018-04-23T18:49:59.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2018-04-23T18:49:59.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JEFF TAYLOR","KEYWORDS":"TERNATNAL","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MONTH TRIDAD AND TOBAGO CRIMALIZED NSENSUAL GAY SEX, WHICH WAS PREVLY PUNISHABLE WH UP TO 25 YEARS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE THE NEWS HAS VIGORATED LGBT RIGHTS ADVOT, THE PICTURE FOR GAY RIGHTS THE REGN IS STILL FAR OM IAL: SAME-SEX RELATNS ARE STILL ILLEGAL NE CARIBBEAN UNTRI, ALL OF WHICH ARE PART OF THE BRISH COMMONWEALTH. AND WHILE LAWS ARE NOT ALWAYS ENFORCED, THEY HAVE A CHILLG EFFECT ON THE LOL LGBT MUNY, WHICH N OFTEN FACE HARASSMENT, DISCRIMATN AND EVEN VLENCE. SODOMY LAWS ALSO HIB MANY LGBT CARIBBEANS OM REACHG OUT TO POLICE OR HIV/AIDS AGENCI FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRISH PRIME MISTER THERA MAY MET WH COMMONWEALTH LEARS LAST WEEK AND EXPRSED REGRET FOR THE U.K.'S ROLE CRIMALIZG SAME-SEX ACTIVY FORMER LONI. “I AM ALL TOO AWARE THAT THE LAWS WERE OFTEN PUT PLACE BY MY OWN UNTRY. THEY WERE WRONG THEN AND THEY ARE WRONG NOW.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BELOW WE LOOK AT THE STATE OF AFFAIRS THE CARIBBEAN NATNS WHERE HOMOSEXUALY IS STILL AGAST THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTIGUA AND BARBUDAALAN COPSON/GETTY IMAGCARIBBEAN, ANTIGUA, ENGLISH HARBOUR OM SHIRLEY HEIGHTS, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN ANTIGUA, "BUGGERY" IS PUNISHABLE BY UP TO 15 YEARS PRISON, OR UP TO FIVE YEARS WHEN MTED BY A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ERNMENT HAS STATED DON'T TEND TO CRIMALIZE HOMOSEXUALY THROUGH EXECUTIVE OR LEGISLATIVE MEANS. BUT LEARS ADM THAT IF A LEGAL CHALLENGE WAS BROUGHT URT, WOULD LIKELY END THE SAME WAY DID FOR BELIZE, WHICH LED S BUGGERY LAW UNNSTUTNAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MISTER OF SOCIAL TRANSFORMATN SAMANTHA MARSHALL LLED ANTIGUA'S BAN ANTIQUATED, SAYG "I DON’T KNOW THAT IS SOMETHG THAT IS ENFORCED [OR] SERV ANY PURPOSE, SO [] SHOULD BE REMOVED."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BARBADOSGARY JOHN NORMAN/GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BARBADOS PUNISH SAME-SEX RELATNS WH TEN YEARS TO LIFE PRISON, THE HARSHT PUNISHMENT ON THIS LIST. AS ANTIGUA, A CHALLENGE TO THE LAW WOULD ALMOST CERTALY SEE STCK DOWN, AS BARBADOS FALLS UNR THE SAME LEGAL JURISPNCE AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LGBT RIGHTS ARE GAG A FOOTHOLD THE UNTRY OF SOME 280,000: THE FIRST BARBADOS PRI TOOK PLACE BRIDGETOWN NOVEMBER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOMICOL MCCONNELL/TORONTO STARCMCC-JULY 4TH OF . THIS IS DOMI. PATED PIANOS THE ROBERT LOWREY PIANO EXPERTS STORE. FOR THE PAN -AM PIANOS ARE BEG PATED BY ARTISTS REPRENTG 41 DIFFERENT UNTRI.14 WERE SHOT AS ONE OF THE ON WE WANTED WASNT THEY WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO BE OKIE CROPPED AS THERE WAS NO WAY TO SGLE THEM OUT WH A PLA BACKGROUND. (PHOTO BY COL MCCONNELL/TORONTO STAR VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON THIS ISLAND REPUBLIC THE LSER ANTILL, ANAL SEX BETWEEN MEN IS PUNISHABLE BY UP TO 10 YEARS PRISON. "GROSS CENCY," OR ANY ACT BIS TERURSE, IS PUNISHABLE BY UP TO FIVE YEARS BEHD BARS. AND THE URT N ORR THOSE NVICTED BE SENT TO A PSYCHIATRIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2012, TWO AMERIN MEN ARRTED FOR HAVG SEX ON THE BALNY OF A CISE SHIP DOCKED DOMI. THEY WERE IALLY CHARGED WH BUGGERY BUT PLEA-BARGAED DOWN TO CENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GRENADAJEFF R CLOW/GETTY IMAGVIEW OF A REMOTE SERTED BEACH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GRENADA'S SODOMY BAN PUNISH ANAL SEX BETWEEN MEN WH UP TO TEN YEARS PRISON. (FEMALE SAME-SEX RELATNS ARE NOT ILLEGAL ON THE ISLAND OF SOME 107,300.) WHILE THE LAW IS RARELY ENFORCED, A 41-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS CHARGED WH HAVG SEX WH A 17-YEAR-OLD 2011, EVEN THOUGH BOTH WERE NSIRED NSENTG ADULTS ACRDG TO GRENADAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2013, SENATOR LAWRENCE JOSEPH ENURAGED THE LEGISLATURE TO REEXAME S BAN, SAYG "THE DAY IS FAST APPROACHG" WHEN WOULD BE STCK DOWN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GUYANADANA DELIMONT/GETTY IMAGBOTTLE (BATTLE) MOUNTA
GRANE OUTCROP
SAVANNA 
SOUTH RUPUNUNI
GUYANA
SOUTH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GUYANA'S PENAL LISTS BUGGERY AS A FELONY, PUNISHABLE BY UP TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT. A MAN WHO M AN "ACT OF GROSS CENCY," WHICH IS NOT FED BUT LIKELY CLUS SEXUAL ACTIVY OTHER THAN ANAL SEX, N BE IMPRISONED FOR UP TO TWO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PRINT DAVID A. GRANGER HAS SIGNALED HE'D BE OPEN TO REPEALG THE STATUTE, WHICH IS NOT MONLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I AM PREPARED TO RPECT THE RIGHTS OF ANY ADULT TO DULGE ANY PRACTICE WHICH IS NOT HARMFUL TO OTHERS," GRANGER SAID BACK 2016. HOWEVER, TO DATE THERE HAS STILL BEEN NO CHANGE TO THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JAMAIDOUG PEARSON/GETTY IMAGRICKS CAFE, NEGRIL, WTMORELAND PARISH, JAMAI, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE JAMAI ADVERTIS SELF AS "WELG TO ALL," HOMOSEXUAL TERURSE IS PUNISHABLE BY UP TO TEN YEARS PRISON, WHICH N CLU HARD LABOR. (ANY OTHER SEXUAL NTACT BETWEEN MEN IS PUNISHABLE BY UP TO SEVEN YEARS PRISON.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OTHER CARIBBEAN UNTRI HAVE STRICTER PENALTI, BUT ANTI-LGBT VLENCE IS ENMIC JAMAI: GAY MEN HAVE BEEN BEATEN, SHOT AND STONED TO ATH. IN 2017, LGBT ACTIVIST DEXTER POTTGER, DUBBED THE “FACE OF PRI,” WAS MURRED HIS HOME. SOME YOUNG QUEER JAMAINS ARE EVEN FORCED TO LIVE THE SEWERS AFTER BEG REJECTED BY THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE EFFORTS TOWARD CHANGE: IN 2005, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LLED ON JAMAI, TO REPEAL S SODOMY BAN AND ACTIVELY BAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN A 2011 BATE, FORMER JAMAIN PRIME MISTER PORTIA SIMPSON-MILLER SAID "NO ONE SHOULD BE DISCRIMATED AGAST BEE OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATN." A YEAR LATER, LGBT RIGHTS MPAIGNER MRICE TOMLSON FILED SU AT THE INTER-AMERIN COMMISSN ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO GET THE BAN LIFTED. BUT HE WAS FORCED TO FLEE THE UNTRY AFTER NEWS OF HIS MARRIAGE TO ANOTHER MAN H LOL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AN GURAL JAMAI PRI EVENT WAS HELD KGSTON 2015, THOUGH SECURY NCERNS MEANT THERE WAS NO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SAT KTS AND NEVISWALTER BIBIKOW/GETTY IMAGST. KTS AND NEVIS, ST. KTS, BASSETERRE, THE CIRC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SAT KTS AND NEVIS'S OFFENC AGAST THE PERSON ACT PUNISH "THE ABOMABLE CRIME OF BUGGERY" BETWEEN MEN WH UP TO 10 YEARS PRISON WH THE POSSIBILY OF HARD LABOR. (FEMALE SAME-SEX RELATNS, HOWEVER, ARE NOT ILLEGAL.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACRDG TO HUMAN DIGNY TST THE LAW HASN'T BEEN ENFORCED RECENT HISTORY. BUT 2005 A GAY CISE WAS BARRED OM DOCKG AND THE PTA WAS TAKEN TO SHORE FOR A MEETG WH PORT, POLICE, CTOMS AND IMMIGRATN OFFICIALS. THE PORT'S GENERAL MANAGER TOLD REPORTERS THAT NEVIS DO NOT WANT HOMOSEXUALY “TO BE A PART OF OUR CULTURE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SAT LUCIAMIGUEL CUMMS (L) OF WT INDI BOWLS AGAST INDIA TO FISH WH 6 WICKETS FOR 48 NS DURG THE 5TH AND FAL DAY OF THE 3RD TT BETWEEN WT INDI AND INDIA AT DARREN SAMMY NATNAL CRICKET STADIUM ON AUGT 13, 2016 GROS ISLET, ST. LUCIA. / AFP / RANDY BROOKS (PHOTO CRED SHOULD READ RANDY BROOKS/AFP/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SAT LUCIA PUNISH NSENSUAL SEX BETWEEN MEN WH UP TO TEN YEARS PRISON. (IF THE FENDANT DON'T NTT THE CHARG, THE SENTENCE IS ONLY FIVE YEARS.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2008, THE UNTRY WAS THE ONLY U.N. MEMBER STATE THE AMERIS TO FORMALLY OPPOSE A CLARATN THAT THE U.N.'S PRCIPL OF NON-DISCRIMATN CLUD SEXUAL ORIENTATN AND GENR INTY. THREE YEARS LATER, A GROUP OF GAY AMERINS WERE ROBBED AND BEATEN THEIR HOTEL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THEY ASKED IF WE WERE GAY," ONE OF THE VICTIMS, MICHAEL BAKER, TOLD THE GEIA VOICE AFTER THE ATTACK. "WHY HAD WE SHOWERED TOGETHER? TODD AND I BOTH SAID WAS BEE THE WATER HEATER WAS SO SMALL. THEY SAID IF WE WERE FAGGOTS THEY WOULD KILL .”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE ADD THAT WHILE THEY NTACTED THORI, "THE POLICE WERE ALMOST ANNOYED WH , ALMOST AS IF WE WERE THE CRIMALS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SAT VCENT AND THE GRENADCHRIS PARKER / DIGN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANYONE WHO MS "AN ACT OF GROSS CENCY WH ANOTHER PERSON OF THE SAME SEX" N FACE UP TO FIVE YEARS BEHD BARS SAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RECEPTIVE PARTNERS, MALE OR FEMALE, ACTUALLY FACE UP TO TEN YEARS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2011, ARC INTERNATNAL ENURAGED THE UNTRY TO REPEAL S SODOMY LAWS, BUT S EFFORTS WERE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

There are six untri the Caribbean where same-sex timacy is still banned and punishable by prison time. Human Rights Watch, s latt report, is llg out of the untri for the anti-gay atmosphere that exists and the stigmatizatn of LGBT dividuals. * gay rights in the caribbean *

This month Tridad and Tobago crimalized nsensual gay sex, which was prevly punishable wh up to 25 years the news has vigorated LGBT rights advot, the picture for gay rights the regn is still far om ial: Same-sex relatns are still illegal ne Caribbean untri, all of which are part of the Brish Commonwealth.

Antigua and BarbudaIn Antigua, "buggery" is punishable by up to 15 years prison, or up to five years when mted by a ernment has stated don't tend to crimalize homosexualy through executive or legislative means. JamaiWhile Jamai advertis self as "welg to all, " homosexual terurse is punishable by up to ten years prison, which n clu hard labor. )Other Caribbean untri have stricter penalti, but anti-LGBT vlence is enmic Jamai: Gay men have been beaten, shot and stoned to ath.

But 2005 a gay cise was barred om dockg and the pta was taken to shore for a meetg wh port, police, ctoms and immigratn officials. “But they share one mon tra: they all give social and legal sanctn for discrimatn, vlence, stigma, and prejudice agast lbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenr (LGBT) dividuals. Some lawmakers and relig lears oppose the aboln of anti-gay laws, vokg God their arguments and llg gay relatnships a nsensual timacy is still crimalized six Caribbean untri, acrdg to Human Rights Watch and the London-based anizatn Human Digny Tst.

AT A GLANCE: LAWS THE CARIBBEAN REGN THAT CRIMALIZE GAY SEX

Sat Lucia and Sat Kts and Nevis should crimalize same-sex relatns and adopt prehensive anti-discrimatn legislatn protectg lbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenr (LGBT) people. * gay rights in the caribbean *

”Polil Cartoons on World Lears Polil CartoonsHere's a quick look at the laws:JAMAICASome LGBTQ-rights groups nsir Jamai the Caribbean natn most hostile to gay people.

As Javier Corral explas The Polics of LGBTQ Rights Expansn Lat Ameri and the Caribbean, leftist movements were often as vilent their homophobia as those on the right. In Cuba, the regime of Fil Castro imprisoned gay men ternment mps durg the years followg the revolutn, nsirg their mands for polil rights to be “beouis nce.

AT A GLANCE: LAWS THE CARIBBEAN REGN THAT CRIMALIZE GAY SEX

While Brazilian Print Jair Bolsonaro’s homophobic rhetoric and polici are well-documented, several of his center-right unterparts the regn have quietly embraced LGBTQ rights. Organizatns like Chile’s Movimiento Integración y Liberación Homosexual (Movilh) and the Jamai Fom for Lbians, All-Sexuals, and Gays have played key rol their untri’ movements toward equaly. Vcent and the Grenad is known for s volnic terra, spectacular ral reefs and yacht-filled the ty Eastern Caribbean untry loted the Lser Antill also has a dub reputatn when to the treatment of lbian, gay, bisexual and transgenr people: Its lonial-era gay sex ban.

GAY SEX IS STILL ILLEGAL THIS CARIBBEAN ISLAND; HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH WANTS BAN REPEALED

“The laws sgle out nsensual gay sex the ‘sexual offens’ sectn of the crimal that is otherwise rerved for crim like rape, ct and sexual asslt, ” the report said. Vcent and the Grenad, the level of homophobia the untry and ntued effect of s archaic law on rights of LGBT dividuals warranted report’s release while there is currently a trial si St. Vcent and the Grenad should repeal the gay-sex provisns s crimal and pass prehensive civil anti-discrimatn legislatn that clus protectns based on sexual orientatn and genr inty.

“Every LGBT person terviewed said they wished to leave the untry and envisned their future abroad due, part, to the homophobic or transphobic vlence and discrimatn the untry, ” the report said. González said the crimalizatn of gay sex giv “tac state sanctn to the discrimatn and vlence that LGBT people experience their daily liv and pels many to look abroad to live eely and fulfill their dreams.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: ANTI-GAY LAWS PROMOTE VLENCE, DISCRIMATN ST. VCENT

This report foc on the experienc of lbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenr (LGBT) people small island stat of the Eastern Caribbean. But they share one mon tra: they all give social and legal sanctn for discrimatn, vlence, stigma, and prejudice agast lbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenr (LGBT) dividuals.

Exampl of legal measur that have been taken to addrs vlence and discrimatn clu: 2012 Argenta beme the first state to pass a genr regnn law based entirely on self-intifitn[15]; 2010 Brazil enacted the Natnal Human Rights Actn Plan (NHRAP), which stipulat specific measur and objectiv to addrs vlence and discrimatn based on sexual orientatn and genr inty[16]; siarly, 2014 Mexi tablished specific teams and uns to ensure that homophobic and transphobic hate crim are vtigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and law enforcement officials have been traed acrdgly[17]; and 2016 Uguay took several measur to addrs employment discrimatn and create job opportuni for margalized trans people, cludg a specific ll for trans ndidat for vanci at the Mistry of Social Development and wh the “Uguay Trabaja” programme.

The Organizatn of Amerin Stat (OAS) and the Inter-Amerin Commissn on Human Rights (IACHR) have also taken steps to addrs human rights vlatns perpetrated agast lbian, gay, bisexual, transgenr, and tersex (LGBTI) persons the Ameris. In 2015, Jamain activist Mrice Tomlson filed a challenge agast the ernments of Belize and Tridad and Tobago to overturn laws that on their face seek to prevent gay people om enterg their untri.

*BEAR-MAGAZINE.COM* GAY RIGHTS IN THE CARIBBEAN

At a glance: Laws the Caribbean regn that crimalize gay sex | AP News .

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