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alexk
Guest
Yesterday marked yet another day in history for the LGBTQI community of T&T with the first-of-its-kind Pride Parade event. The first historic event, members of the community said, was the April 12, 2018, High Court ruling by Justice Davindra Rampersad which officially ruled the nation’s buggery law as unconstitutional.
It was a moment of pride for members, supporters and allies who gathered at the Nelson Mandela Park in St Clair to stage the first-ever Pride Parade, the culmination of a long month of LGBTQI awareness activities which began on June 22 and was a collaborative effort of several NGOs working with and for the community.
Pride flags bearing colours of the rainbow were seen erected around the perimeters of the event and carried in the hands of some in attendance. There were also booths set up throughout the event, some showcasing cuisine while others sold handicraft, T-shirts, ornaments and other merchandise.
The Association of Psychologists was also on hand to give information on the counselling services it offers to those in the LGBTQI community as well as their families.
Addressing the gathering, Colin Robinson, head of CAISO, an organisation formed to promote inclusion and diversity of all citizens regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, said the day was one of extreme proudness.
He asked the gathering if they were proud of the Judiciary’s landmark ruling in April.
“Are you all proud of the decision that they made on April 12?” Robinson asked, sending attendees into a frenzy.
“We may not always be proud of their decision, but we are certainly proud of this.”
He said he was also proud of the stance taken by the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC), noting it was the one state institution that kept enunciating that the LGBTQI community belonged as part of society and therefore needed to be protected.
“The chairman Lynette Seebaran-Suite told the Government since 2014 that we needed to be included in the Equal Opportunity Act. Clap for that!” Robinson commanded.
He did not forget to mention his gratitude to T&T’s first female President Paula Mae Weekes, saying it was Weekes, even before she took office, who said the LGBTQI community were equal to everybody else in the nation.
“Who else has done that?” he asked.
He turned to the protective services saying, “We’re not always proud of the police but we are very proud that they are protecting and serving us today. “
Robinson said he was even more proud of the city of Port-of-Spain for meeting with the organisers and giving the green light for the parade through the streets.
“We are citizens!” he screamed.
The parade route took participants from the Nelson Mandela Park, up St Clair Avenue, down Havelock Street, up onto Tragarete Road then onto Grey Street before mustering on Rust Street and ending with a last lap jam at the Haze Night Club.
Speaking prior to the event, Robinson told the Sunday Guardian that it’s a whole generation of young people who are claiming their space in the nation who created yesterday’s festival and he was extraordinarily proud of them.
Asked what he hoped the day would accomplish, he said, to reaffirm the rights of a human being and also to show how people can come together regardless of being a part or not a part of the LGBTQI community.