Being gay in barbados
Five months after the Elevated Court announced they were striking down laws criminalising same-sex sexual activity in Barbados, the Court yesterday handed down a written judgment giving detailed reasons for its decision.
Sections 9 and 12 of the Barbados Sexual Offences Perform, also known as the “buggery” and “serious indecency” laws, were remnants of the British colonial era and criminalised consensual gay intimacy. Under Section 9, punishment for breaking the law could be as severe as life imprisonment for males who engaged in same-sex sexual task. Under Section 12, both men and women were criminalised and liable to imprisonment of up to 10 years.
The case was filed by two Barbadian LGBT advocates, with local organisation Equals joining the case as community support, and regional LGBT umbrella organisation, the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality, convening the process.
In the judgment, the Court upheld all of the claimants’ grounds of challenge. They found that the criminalising offences, which “attempt to regulate the sexual activities of consenting adu
Out of the 21 years that I lived in Barbados, I have always established there to be a stigma or as some may say, “taboo,” around the topic of sexuality as a whole. For as long as I can remember, sexuality was always a subject that people danced around. Growing up in a generation where North American culture was being portrayed in TV series and movies, it contradicted what the population I was in would represent.
Barbados has always been a predominantly Catholic land and this religion has strong views against pre-marital sex, relationships between the same gender, and also changing gender. Although some households carried different religious practices, the majority of my friends would agree with me when I say that in early teenage years, small actions from elders in our society impacted the way we viewed sexuality for a long time. For example, the way some people chat about sexuality codes it with a tone of shame. Another small example that a ally of mine experienced, was family members changing the channel or turni
Cecilia Miller( LGBTQ+ Rights Advocate And Activist )
Cecilia Miller is a lesbian love warrior and educator fighting for queer justice and ensuring every shade of the rainbow shines bright & bold!
LGBT rights in Barbados have been a topic of discussion and debate in recent years, with significant strides being made to ensure equality and protection for all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender individuality. Barbados is a beautiful and vibrant island destination, attracting a diverse range of people, both locals and tourists alike.
While the country has made progress in terms of LGBT rights, it’s essential for individuals to be aware of the current situation and to exercise caution, as circumstances can change rapidly and information may become outdated.
A historic moment came when the High Court of Barbados decriminalized same-sex relations. This ruling not only impacted the lives of local Barbadians but also fostered a more inclusive environment for tourists visiting the island. Bear in mind, however, that while there have been adv
GENEVA, 13 December —UNAIDS welcomes the judgement by the High Court in Barbados to strike down
GENEVA, 13 December —UNAIDS welcomes the judgement by the High Court in Barbados to strike down the country’s colonial-era gross indecency and buggery laws that criminalised consensual same-sex relations.
“This historic decision is a significant step towards protecting the human rights and dignity of LGBT people in Barbados,” said Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “It will also strengthen the country’s HIV response by helping to reduce stigma and discrimination faced by LGBT people and increasing the uptake of HIV testing, treatment and prevention services.”
Under section 9 of the Barbados Sexual Offences Behave , punishment could lead to life imprisonment for men engaging in same-sex sexual activity. Under section 12, both men and women were criminalised and liable to up to 10 years imprisonment. Laws that punish consensual same sex relations, in addition to contravening the human rights of LGBT people, proceed as a barrier to improving health out