Rudolph Hanamji |photo credits: Gabrielle Punch
Given the loss of a number of persons who belonged to the LGBTQ+ community in violent ways over the years, Pride TT denounces any attempts made by self-righteous hypocrites to distract attention from real issues in society, namely the prevalence of abuse, hate and prejudice levelled against the LGBTQ+ community and in particular the more vulnerable members thereof. They would seek to ‘rebuild T&T’ after they have destroyed it in the name of bigotry.
We remind them of 1 John 4:20 which states that: “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” We call upon the nation to unite, and love and protect all persons as this will truly help in building T&T into a great nation.
Pride TT remains resolute in highlighting the positive contribution go the LGBTQ+ community to T&T’s
development and will not allow others to ‘invisibilise’ our legacy anymore. We must be allowed to
mourn our lost loved ones and celebrate their lives as we need to.
Further, we join with other NGOs, state agencies and international bodies in calling for: amendments to the Equal Opportunity Act to include age, HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ protections; the removal of laws and policies that deny equity and equality for all; the training and sensitisation of health care, security and other service providers in LGBTQ+ needs; and the final passage of a complete national gender policy. Without the above, predators will continue to target and take advantage of children, women and members of the LGBTQ+ community – who are made vulnerable by the very toxic masculine paradigms that result in division, harm and the lack of justice for those injured, lost or killed. After all, every citizen is legally recognised and protected under the constitution – even if some believe they should not.
RUDOLPH HANAMJI – Chief Coordinator Pride TT | 480 9470 | [email protected]
UNITE FOR LOVE
