Gay in the islands

Under Article 8 (18/1) of the Immigration Act, homosexual men and women are not allowed to enter the country. Section 13 of the Sexual Offences Act 1986 criminalises “buggery”. This Section provides a penalty of up to life imprisonment, if committed on a minor; up to 10 years’ imprisonment if committed on an adult (18 … Continue reading Gay in the islands

Says who? (or, why bylines matter)

Trinidadian newspapers infuriate me. I’ve already written at length about their lack of a systematic corrections policy, and the superficiality of much of our reporting; today’s bugbear is their casual approach to bylines. In the context of a newspaper article, a byline is simply the name and often, the title or position of the person(s) … Continue reading Says who? (or, why bylines matter)

On being the change I wish to see (and freaking out about it)

When I first left home, six years ago, I was resolved not to come back. Why should I? Trinidad, I declared, held nothing but bacchanal and botheration. I felt stifled there, and bored. I didn’t fit in. I needed to leave. So I left, and like so many other West Indians abroad, discovered that I … Continue reading On being the change I wish to see (and freaking out about it)