Posted: 30th December, 2012

Great leaders are the ones who do historic things. Free slaves, end
wars, empower the disenfranchised, put men on the moon…The Prime
Minister’s apparent promise to produce a “policy (that) will forge the
way forward for T&T as (her) government seeks to put an end to all
discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation” can be Kamla
Persad-Bissessar’s historic move to catapult her into the realm of great
leaders in history.

 Why? Because even though we decided to become independent of our
former colonial power, we retain the worst of its legacies: its archaic,
discriminatory laws, which even it has long changed. Because even
though we’ve done away with the Privy Council as our ultimate arbiter of
justice, we’ve retained a strange pride in these laws that patently
victimise some of our citizens.

Because despite rare statements by regional leaders of openness to
rectifying the scar of legal discrimination against gay citizens, no
action has been taken. Because the international reputation of the
islands has remained, and justifiably so, as a hotbed for victimisation
of and violence against gay citizens born of a culture and legal system
that tacitly and explicitly condone such action against gay citizens for
the only reason that they are gay.

 This can be Persad-Bissessar’s historic act to catapult her failing
reputation into a legacy of epic proportions, something by which she
will be remembered and revered for centuries to come. Because, face it,
T&T is sorely lacking in great leaders.

 Pave roads or change history
Think of our last four Prime Ministers. One faded into infamy, one
was forced to grant amnesty to a “terrorist,” one lost an election and
with it his dignity, and one went to jail. Did any of them curb rising
crime, stop the drug trade, truly protect children, give us worldclass
healthcare, take us to developed-nation status, or put a stop to gutter
politics or tribal politics?

 They built roads, paved roads, gave us unnecessary public holidays,
and distributed Christmas hampers to the poor. Equal civic rights to gay
citizens were not important to them because they did not seem important
to anyone. That’s the thing about human rights.

 People are often satisfied with their ways of life simply because it
is all they’ve ever known. But looking in from the outside, from the
future or from a different perspective, it can be seen people may lack
many inalienable human rights. Women can’t drive, the differently abled
are denied jobs, children aren’t schooled, child labour still exists,
rape camps still exist, albinos are murdered for their “good luck”
properties…

 While social change takes time, legislative change ought not to take
longer. Yet, a draft national gender policy has been floating around for
more than a decade. The People’s Partnership was elected in no small
part on the presumption of progressive ideals on social and civic
policy.

 There was the belief among some voters the Government would not
“imitate foreign countries” but in its own right correct the laws that
do not serve the people and enact new ones that better protect us.
Instead, newspapers are conducting polls on whether protester Dr Wayne
Kublalsingh should be arrested on another archaic law, one that
criminalises suicide attempts.

 The Prime Minister, as a lawyer, leader and woman, can take the lead
in ensuring our laws match up not merely to the times but to the
fundamentals of human dignity. Decriminalising homosexuality, ensuring
equitable rights to all and protecting citizens with the law is not a
matter of opinion or religion but of something far more inherent.

 Brimstone and other BS
Public discussion on the topic will no doubt bring heated debate. No
doubt the main naysayers are the ones who will take out full-page ads
using the money of their congregations. Yet one would ask all parties
come to the table with facts. If decriminalising homosexuality will
bring fire and brimstone, let’s see an example of when this has happened
(from real life, not from a parable).
 
If changing our immigration law such that people like Elton John are
not categorised among prostitutes and imbeciles would make T&T one
big orgy, show us how. If protecting the rights of gay citizens through
equal opportunity laws would somehow spark economic ruin, then show us
the proof.

 With a little education on the topic all citizens and their
respective leaders will see being gay is not a choice and being gay
never hurt anyone else. The fact is these laws would really affect only
the citizens they protect. The fact is some people are born with tight
curls or of Indian origin or female or gay.

 No one should be discriminated against by the protective services or
employers or the State for any of the things they cannot change. This
simple thing can be the Prime Minister and her Government’s most
significant act, one on which history will shine. Let everyone really
“find an equal place” in our rainbow country. Maybe this can redeem
Persad- Bissessar and make her one of our “great leaders.”

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJnaUpns4Tk