- LGBT rights in Trinidad and Tobago
Homosexuality is illegal inTrinidad and Tobago . However homosexuals have not been actively targeted by the laws.Criminal Code
exual Offences Act
Trinidadian
criminal code prohibits sex between two people of the same sex, as is the case in much of the English-speaking Caribbean.[http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Laws/Chs.%2010-13/11.28/11.28.htm#sec13 Section 13] of the Sexual Offences Act 1986 [ [http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Laws/Chs.%2010-13/11.28/11.28%20aos.htm Sexual Offences Act, 1986] ] criminalises "buggery". This section, strengthened in 2000, [ [http://www.ttparliament.org/bills/acts/2000/a2000-31.pdf Sexual Offences Act, 2000 amendment] ] states:
(1) A person who commits buggery is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment— (a) if committed by an adult on a minor, for life; (b) if committed by an adult on another adult, for twenty-five years; (c) if committed by a minor, for five years. (2) In this section “buggery” means sexual intercourse per anum by a male person with a male person or by a male person with a female person.
[http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Laws/Chs.%2010-13/11.28/11.28.htm#sec16 Section 16] relates to "serious indecency":
(1) A person who commits an act of serious indecency on or towards another is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment— (a) if committed on or towards a minor under sixteen years of age for ten years for a first offence and to imprisonment for fifteen years for a subsequent offence; (b) if committed on or towards a person sixteen years of age or more for five years. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an act of serious indecency committed in private between— (a) a husband and his wife; or (b) a male person and a female person each of whom is sixteen years of age or more, both of whom consent to the commission of the act. (3) An act of “serious indecency” is an act, other than sexual intercourse (whether natural or unnatural), by a person involving the use of the genital organ for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.
Immigration Act
Under Article 8 (18/1) of the Immigration Act, [ [http://www.immigration.gov.tt/documentlibrary/downloads/13/Imm%20Act%20&%20Regs.pdf Immigration Act] ] homosexual men and women are not allowed to enter the country. However this law is not known to have been enforced.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), entry into Trinidad and Tobago of the persons described in this subsection, other than citizens and, subject to section 7(2), residents, is prohibited, namely- ... (e) prostitutes, homosexuals or persons living on the earnings of prostitutes or homosexuals, or persons reasonably suspected as coming to Trinidad and Tobago for these or any other immoral purposes;
Enforcement
exual Offences
The government has not specifically targeted homosexuals under the "buggery" or serious indecency laws; however individuals have been charged and convicted of these offences when coupled with other serious crimes. [ [http://www.ttlawcourts.org/Judgments/coa/2002/warner/stevewilliams.pdf The State v. Steve Williams] ] [ [http://www.ttlawcourts.org/Judgments/coa/2002/lucky/Pat%20Wellington.pdf The State v. Patrick Wellington & Kelvin Persad] ] [ [http://www.ttlawcourts.org/Judgments/coa/2002/jones/JACOB%20RAMJATTAN.pdf The State v. Jacob Ramjattan] ]
Immigration
The law forbidding immigration is not know to have been enforced.
In 2007 a highly vocal campaign opposed Elton John's entry into the country. This was led by the local
Anglican Church , in particular Archdeacon Philip Isaac. [ [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/elton-john-concert-will-corrupt-tobago-archdeacon-claims-440449.html Elton John concert will corrupt Trinidad and Tobago] ] The Tobago House of Assembly rejected the call to bar Elton John from entry, and the concert went ahead as planned in May 2007. [ [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/28/elton_ban_denied/ Elton John free to menace Tobago] ]Public attitudes toward LGBT people
Trinidad is considered a 'relatively safe' destination for gay travellers. [ [http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/gt/listings.asp?action=ShowCountry&CID=952 GayTimes] ]
References
ee also
*
Homosexuality laws of the world
*Trinidad and Tobago
*LGBT rights External Links
* [http://rainbowclique.com/arc/go/ RainbowClique.com: A social network for Caribbean LGBT founded in Trinidad and Tobago]
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