The Privy Council in London will make a crucial decision on a significant LGBTQ+ rights case in Trinidad and Tobago. Despite a 2018 high court ruling that removed a buggery law from the books, the country's supreme court recently reinstated the law, reversing progress for LGBTQ+ individuals. Activist Jason Jones is set to challenge this decision, citing the outdated savings clause used to justify the law's reinstatement. He argues that modern modifications to the legislation make the clause irrelevant and detrimental to democracy. The situation marks a stark contrast to the previous victory celebrated by the LGBTQ+ community.
"This backwards step revolves around the savings clause, which was designed as an instrument for the smooth transition of power upon independence in 1962 to protect the laws we had for hundreds of years. That clause is now being used against democracy in our country," said Jones.
"Parliament is hiding its homophobic bigotry behind an archaic clause that serves no useful purpose in a modern democratic country," said Jones.
"This is a case about the dignity of the person, not the will of the majority or any religious view," Rampersad stated.
"The mood among Trinidad's LGBTQ+ people is a far cry from their tears of joy on the steps of Port of Spain's Hall of Justice seven years ago."
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