«Our Bodies, Our Rights, Our Lives» is the theme for this year’s International Day Against Homo-, Bi-, and Transphobia (IDAHOTB).
The annual commemoration on May 17 allows for reflection on the violence and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people as well as a celebration of sexual and gender diversity. Through a variety of actions and efforts, Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) joins the global community utilises this moment to champion inclusion toward building a better world for everyone.
Beginning in 2004, IDAHOTB was created to draw the attention of policy makers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ people. Over the years we have witnessed the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community as their rights are stripped, they are denied peace and security, face oppression, fear and judgment. Turning pain into purpose, we have called for legal and social change and have actively organised, collaborated and worked to contribute to the recognition of our humanity, dignity and liberties.
It is not a novel idea that no one should feel pressured to live a life that is not authentic; to feel that their bodies are not their own; that their choices are controlled by others, that they do not deserve the same rights enjoyed by every citizen. It is important for everyone to speak up and speak out because this is not an LGBTQ+ issue but a human rights issue.
As we celebrate IDAHOTB, we ought to look at how the criminal codes in our respective Caribbean countries criminalise members of the community and empowers others to discriminate. These specific laws or provisions do not allow for members of the LGBTQ+ community to enjoy peace and security, free access to all services and protection under the law. Ironically, some institutions mandated to serve and protect citizens from violence and crime and ensure enjoyment of our human rights, fall into the category of perpetrators of violence against the most marginalised, which includes LGBTQ+ people. It must end.
In keeping with the theme for this year’s IDAHOTB celebration, we urge governments to put measures into place to better protect members of the LGBTQ+ community and ensure public service providers are properly trained to deliver accessible, quality services to LGBTQ+ persons, based on their needs. Our societies also need to reconcile the violent acts being perpetrated against people seen as being different. We have harmed people; we have lost people; we have created deep scars within families and damaged lives for which justice remains a distant hope. All along, the objective remains clear and consistent: LGBTQ+ persons should be safe in their homes, in their countries, to fully enjoy their human rights. The question is, what will we choose to do at this very moment?
