By ERAO SVG
On the 17th of May 2026, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Equal Rights, Access and Opportunities SVG Inc. (ERAO SVG), officially launched its National Call for Reparations for LGBT Vincentians at an “IDAHOBIT Lunch Reception” attended by LGBT persons and allies in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
Today, the local reality for many LGBT persons in SVG remains very dark, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged amongst us. Private adult consensual same-sex relations are criminalized with a maximum sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment. These laws were shockingly upheld in a 2024 decision by then High Court Judge Justice Esco Henry in the consolidated cases of Javin Johnson and Sean McLeish v. The Attorney General of SVG et al. This consolidated case is currently under appeal at the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. However, to date, the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has yet to make a decision regarding this case. Additionally, in the 21st century, there are no laws that explicitly protect persons from discrimination on grounds such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in important areas such as, but not limited to, employment, education, healthcare, housing, and the provision of goods and services.
Moreover, over the years, LGBT Vincentians have faced physical, verbal, and emotional abuse, family violence and rejection, dropped out of school, homelessness, unemployment, workplace harassment, bullying, and sexual violence, including rape and sexual harassment. They have suffered mistreatment from family, neighbors, coworkers, classmates, teachers, strangers, and even police officers. Due to the violence, harassment, and discrimination, many LGBT Vincentians have fled to seek safety in other countries, and more are planning to leave. These and more were highlighted in Human Rights Watch’s 2023 report, “They Can Harass us Because of the Laws: Violence and Discrimination Against LGBT persons in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines”.
Despite the great darkness, there is still light. Today, we wish to highlight that change is happening across the independent English-speaking Caribbean. A number of countries, such as Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Saint Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis, have moved to decriminalize or repeal laws prohibiting private adult consensual same-sex relations. Furthermore, some countries, such as Barbados and Saint Lucia, have enacted various forms of legislation to protect LGBT persons. SVG should join this historic, human-rights-based shift.
Many countries, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS) similar to SVG, that have moved away from these colonial-era laws, have seen significant benefits as a result. These benefits include stronger economic resilience, increased tourism revenue, and greater international competitiveness. One major driver has been Pink Tourism, recognised globally as one of the fastest-growing and highest-spending tourism segments.
Additionally, countries that embrace inclusion are often more attractive to foreign direct investment, especially within the technology and finance sectors, where Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards increasingly influence investment decisions. Companies today are actively seeking jurisdictions that reflect internationally recognized standards of diversity, equity, and social inclusion.
Talent retention is also an important factor to consider. Skilled professionals are far less likely to migrate to more inclusive countries if they feel respected, protected, and valued at home. By fostering a more inclusive society, our country can considerably reduce the loss of domestic talent, preserve investments made in education and training, and retain the skilled talent we have invested generations in developing.
In light of the above, on this IDAHOBIT, ERAO SVG officially launches its National Call for Reparations for LGBT Vincentians from the State of SVG. Reparations can take many forms. Today, we specifically call upon the State of SVG to:
- Immediately repeal laws criminalizing private adult consensual same-sex relations in SVG;
- Enact comprehensive anti-discrimination laws that, amongst other things, protect persons on grounds such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, in important areas such as employment, education, healthcare, housing, and the provision of goods and services in SVG;
- Reform the Constitution to explicitly protect LGBT persons from discrimination based on grounds such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in SVG;
- Train and educate different actors in society, particularly persons in government, law enforcement officials, and justice actors, on LGBT rights in SVG;
- Provide greater financial support to local organizations advocating for LGBT rights in SVG;
- Publicly apologize to LGBT Vincentians for the violence, discrimination, and harassment they have faced at the hands of State actors in SVG;
- Any other forms of reparations as may be deemed necessary in the context of SVG.
We call to action: The Honourable Dr. Godwin Friday – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Legal Affairs & Justice, Economic Planning, and Private Sector Development, The Honourable St. Claire Leacock – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Disaster Management, and Immigration, The Honourable Daniel Cummings – Minister of Health, Wellness, Environmental Health, and Energy, The Honourable Andrew John – Minister of Housing, Land Management, Urban Development, and Informal Settlement Upgrading, The Honourable Conroy Huggins – Minister of Fisheries, Marine and Land Conservation, and Climate Resilience, The Honourable Fitzgerald Bramble – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and Diaspora Affairs, The Honourable Israel Bruce – Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Transformation, The Honourable Kaschaka Cupid – Minister of Youth, Sports, Culture, and Creative Industries, The Honourable Dr. Kishore Shallow – Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, and Sustainable Development, The Honourable Laverne Gibson-Velox – Minister of the Family and Gender Affairs, Persons with Disability, and Labour, The Honourable Nigel Stephenson – Minister of Transport, Infrastructure, and Physical Planning, The Honourable Phillip Jackson – Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Information, The Honourable Shevern John – Minister of Social Welfare and Community Empowerment, Ecclesiastical Affairs, and National Heritage, The Honourable Chieftain Neptune – Senator and Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, The Honourable Lavern King – Senator and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Information, The Honourable Terrence Ollivierre – Minister of Higher Education, Grenadines Affairs, Local Government, Airports and Seaport, The Honourable Sarah Louise Mitchell – Attorney General, The Honourable Ronnia Durham-Balcombe – Speaker of the House of Assembly, The Honourable Jemalie John – Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly and Senator, The Honourable Chelsea Alexander – Senator, The Honourable Dr. Ralph Gonsalves – Leader of the Opposition, The Honourable Keisal Peters – Opposition Senator, The Honourable Carlos James – Opposition Senator, to address the historical injustices and human violations that have been faced by LGBT Vincentians in order for there to be proper healing and reconciliation between the State and this population.
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