Maroc - NEWSDAY.CO.TT - A la Une - 29/Jul 00:21

Pride organises calls for laws to protect LGBTQIA

Organisers of Sunday’s PrideTT parade emphasised the need for legislation to protect members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) community from discrimination. Almost 200 people gathered at One Café Alcazar on Maraval Road to celebrate the LGBTQIA community. PRIDETT co-founder Kennedy Everett Maraj said this year’s theme, ‘The right to…’ was intentionally left open-ended to place a spotlight on all the various issues affecting the community. “Given that we are such a diverse community and we are not a monolith, not every single issue is going to impact each and every one of us the same exact way. Different issues impact all of us differently. “So it's really to give the community a platform to come out and say, what is affecting them the most and put a spotlight on that.” Maraj said PrideTT and the parade are important in trying to change the narrative of what society thinks and feels about LGBTQIA people. “There's a lot of misinformation, disinformation, negative stereotypes and prejudices that defines who we are. But we are trying to show a positive light to show this is not who we are and we are just like everyone else.” He added, “The only difference is that there are a lot of issues that prevent us from having the same sort of equal rights that every other citizen enjoys and trying to create a sense of community within our community and create safe spaces so people can come out, be free, be safe, and enjoy themselves.” [caption id="attachment_1099083" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Ivaek Archer parades the costume, The Joy of Carnival is Colour, in the annual Pride Parade in celebration of Pride Month on Maraval Road, Port of Spain on July 28.- Photo by Faith Ayoung[/caption] Maraj said LGBTQIA representatives have had discussions with legislators in the past about the necessary change in laws that are required to place the community on an equal footing with the rest of the country. He pointed to discrimination as one of the most pressing issues facing the community. “Something that our community has been advocating for well over a decade is changes to the Equal Opportunity Act. We do not have any protections for LGBTQIA persons that prevent them from being discriminated against. We have been trying to get legislators to put sexual orientation and gender identity into that act to protect us from discrimination, especially within the workplace.” He said despite these discussions, there is no indication that legislative change is coming any time soon. “We have made a little bit of movement on getting interviews and meetings with various legislators, but nothing has been put on the table for Parliament to really amend that act.” Maraj said rather than protecting citizens, the act reinforces discrimination on several grounds, including sexuality, age and HIV status. “Those are still grounds where employers and anyone can discriminate against someone based on those factors and there's no protection.” He said there are many people who have contributed positively to TT but are not protected by the country’s laws. “We live in a country where we are all supposed to be equal and free, enjoying the same rights and privileges just by the mere fact that we are human beings. And here it is, you know, we have an entire community which has contributed so much to our culture and our society, and yet still we have employers who can openly discriminate us simply based on the fact that we are LGBTQIA.” [caption id="attachment_1099084" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Tracy Sheppard, director of PrideTT, gives the opening remarks for the Pride Parade at One Cafe on the corner of Maraval Road and Alcazar Street, Port of Spain on July 28.- Photo by Faith Ayoung[/caption] “What is our legal recourse? There's nothing there to protect us,” he lamented. He said gay couples also stand to lose everything they built together if one of them dies, as their marriage is not recognised in TT law. “Even if you get married abroad, there are no laws to protect you so your marriage might not be legally binding here. So you can't be afforded any of the rights and protections and privileges that a heterosexual married couple will enjoy.” Maraj said this is why the PrideTT parade is important. “When people ask, ‘What is the point of having a pride parade? Is it that you're just going to celebrate your sexuality?’ We're not just celebrating our sexuality. “We are celebrating our right to live, our right to liberty, our right to have equal rights, our right to having freedom, and our right to not be discriminated against on so many different levels.” He called on people who are critical of members of the LGBTQIA community to look within and examine the reason for their bias and disdain. “You have to educate yourself. You have to ask yourself, ‘Why am I acting a certain way when I see somebody who doesn't really look like what I consider to be traditionally male or traditionally female.’ “Ask yourself, ‘Why does that bother me so much? And how does the way someone else chooses to live their life, really impact my life?’ “That person is not hurting you in any way, shape or form. So why are you acting in a way that causes harm, that threatens, that makes that person feel threatened or make them feel like they are not safe in their own country or less than?” He said the stigmas and perceptions of the LGBTQIA society are reinforced by religious doctrine, politicians who play into the homophobia, and a general cultural belief and insensitivity. “To all people who think like that, what exactly are you afraid of? Because at the end of the day, we are no different than you are. “We want to love freely. We want the same sort of human rights and protections that are afforded to every citizen of this country.” British High Commissioner Harriet Cross told Newsday she was there to celebrate the contribution LGBTQIA people make to the economy, the culture, and other aspects of life. She added it is also important to highlight the other issues facing the LGBTQIA community. “They are targets of criminality. They can be discriminated against in the workplace, and it's really important to highlight that. I personally believe in equality, and I think human rights should apply to everybody. So I think that's important, and my government thinks the same.” Cross pointed to the development of gay rights in the UK and said her government is more than willing to support TT in developing any legislation to promote inclusivity. “Back in the 1980s, the UK was a place that was quite discriminatory towards the LGBTQIA community. It's taken us a while to get to the stage now where we're one of the more inclusive societies in the world. But that takes time, it takes legislation, it takes cultural change, and engaging with communities. There's a lot of work to be done, and I think that work has started in Trinidad and Tobago already.” European Union Ambassador to TT Peter Cavendish said he was pleased to be a part of the celebrations. Asked about his thoughts on the challenges facing the LGBTQIA community in TT, Cavendish said there is “a vast legal challenge in the country” but added he believes in the ability of the people of TT to make their own decisions. “I do think, coming from a small country myself, Ireland, that people need to be realistic in the modern world and see that all people are treated equally. “That’s what we are looking for. It's not for us to tell Trinis what to do, we just wish to see that everybody is treated equally and there is enough talent in this country to deliver on that.” Argentine ambassador to TT Gustavo Pandiani said he was there in his personal capacity and not a representative of his government, adding the LGBTQIA community could count on his support. “I am just representing myself and family, which is very diverse. For me, it’s a nice feeling to share this parade with people from all different views of life. “Because that is what I think we need to do and we need to ensure everyone in society is content.” He said the diplomatic corps support for the parade sent a global message. [caption id="attachment_1099085" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Harriet Cross, British High Commissioner and Peter Cavendish, EU ambassador, pose for a photo as they get ready for the annual pride parade in celebration of Pride Month on Maraval Road, Port of Spain, on July 28.Ghislain Commergnat, deputy head of mission at the Embassy of France, is seen in the background. - Photo by Faith Ayoung[/caption] “The problem of exclusion happens everywhere, not only in TT but also in Latin America and in the EU. So it's important for diplomats to build a global message. No matter what your personal opinion or stance is, you need to support that everybody can have a stance.” Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands Cor Hersbach said the parade mirrored his personal beliefs and those of his country. “We in the Netherlands value diversity and inclusivity. It’s important to be able to be who you are and who you want to be, live your life how you want, love who you want to love, and express that in any way you want.” Hersbach said inclusivity also means embracing critics and those with different views. “You can have your opinion on any matter and this. Being inclusive means someone else can have a different opinion but you don’t have to judge people on it. You don’t have to condemn people on it. If someone believes one thing and they live their life one way that is fine. And if someone else believes another thing and live their life that way, that is fine as well. It’s proven, though, that excluding people does not benefit anyone.”   The post Pride organises calls for laws to protect LGBTQIA appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.