Black Immigrant Daily News

One corner of the Caribbean is getting with the times: Earlier this week, the island nation of Antigua and Barbuda overturned many anti-LGBTQI+ laws in its Sexual Offences Act.

The law decreeing that intercourse must be between “a male person and a female person” was replaced with the word “persons” after the country’s High Court ruled much of the legislation was unconstitutional. “The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court found that ‘the selection of an intimate partner is a private and a personal choice’,” said the AP.

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Lawmakers held that the criminalization of consensual sexual acts between same-sex, adult partners breached libertarian rights, freedom of expression, legal protection and privacy and protection from discrimination based on sex.

Campaigners hope this will begin an awakening within the nation and beyond.

“The High Court’s landmark ruling is a beacon for LGBT people in Antigua and Barbuda and other Caribbean nations, whose rights and freedoms have been stymied by these punitive laws,” said Cristian González Cabrera, LGBT rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Ffryes Beach in Antigua. (Photo by Ian Rogers Photography/Getty Images)

“Laws criminalizing same-sex conduct, which are still in force in eight other Caribbean nations, reinforce and tacitly permit discrimination, violence and prejudice against LGBT people,” he added.

It may be surprising to some, but a number of favorite destinations among U.S. travelers don’t share the same values as many progressive European nations in regards to rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender visitors.

Related: Top 10 LGBTQ-friendly destinations for 2022

There are numerous amazing destinations where you can openly celebrate Pride. However, in several locations, including many hotspots in the Caribbean, LGBTQ+ visitors must exercise caution.

These archaic laws are rarely enforced in the West Indies. In fact, there are many openly LGBTQI+ people living in places such as Barbados. It’s always wise to adhere to guidelines from the U.S. Department of State wherever possible, though.

The U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) LGBTQI+ travel information section provides guidance on planning travel and offers information about local laws or customs.

For instance,  DOS guidelines for Barbados state: “Same-sex sexual relations, even when consensual, are criminalized in Barbados. Although this law is rarely enforced, potential penalties include life imprisonment.”

 
(Photo by Alexander Spatari/Getty Images)

Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer for Virgin Atlantic, welcomed the decision by lawmakers to overturn outdated laws in Antigua and Barbuda.

Related: 7 documents LGBTQI+ families should always carry when traveling

“At Virgin Atlantic we believe everyone should be able to be themselves no matter who they are or who they love and we welcome this historic decision to repeal the harmful laws against same-sex intimacy,” Jarvinen said.

“We look forward to welcoming more LGBT+ travelers onboard, flying them to explore the beautiful beaches and experience the culture of Antigua,” he added. “We now urge other Caribbean islands to follow in their footsteps, making themselves inclusive and welcoming to all.”

According to Virgin Atlantic, discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community costs up to $4.1 billion a year in 12 English-speaking Caribbean countries. That’s as much as 5.7% of annual GDP.

Earlier this year, travel writer Asher Ferguson published the LGBTQI+ Travel Safety Index, a list of 203 best and worst countries for LGBTQI+ travelers. Antigua and Barbuda finished 158th on the list, scoring an F, the worst possible result.

Canada took the top spot on the list, while Sweden and The Netherlands snagged second and third place, respectively. The U.K. nestled in at sixth and the U.S. came in at No. 24.

For travel resources, Pride information and additional articles, visit our LGBTQ+ Travel page.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

LOOP: According to Tourism Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire, regional travel to Saint Lucia remains low compared to international travel.

Speaking to the media earlier this week, Dr Hilaire attributes the low figures to the ongoing challenges with regional carrier LIAT.

“If you look at our tourism arrivals now compared to 2019, which was our best year, our international arrivals are actually on par and even higher than 2019. But the regional travel is disastrous for us,” Dr Hilaire, the Minister for Investment, stated.

He recalled that at the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, Vincentian Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves indicated how the region would move forward regarding LIAT and regional travel.

“I think we are looking for more action. We need the regional travel not just for Carnival, but for Saint Lucia.”

According to Dr Hilaire, “Saint Lucia is a preferred regional destination, and our numbers are way down for regional travel.”

Dr Hilaire bemoans the region’s travel state and believes much more can be done to save it and improve regional travel.

The cash-strapped airline is owned by the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said previously that a decision had been taken that would allow Barbados and SVG to turn over their shares in LIAT to St John’s for one EC dollar.

According to Dr Hilaire, the preferred route would be to subsidize LIAT’s operations, considering investing in private airlines for the region has proven unsuccessful.

“The history of airlines in the Caribbean is that when we have relied on private airlines, they pull out on us whenever the going gets tough. Unfortunately, it has happened repeatedly, so if the people of the region own LIAT, let us make a determined effort to get LIAT functioning as best as we could,” Dr Hilaire remarked.

“Even if we have to subsidize LIAT, the value of regional travel..the free movement of people as well as for economic reasons is significant,” he added. LOOP

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George is telling Barbadians that the first confirmed case of Monkeypox on island should not cause panic, especially if persons listen to the public health officials and follow their guidance.

when we understood the basic public health measures, we will get through this together

After the Health Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill announced the first confirmed case, Dr George said:

“My general suggestion to Barbadians is first don’t be alarmed, use good common sense, individuals who present with a rash should seek medical advice, [and] usually the issues with this type of disease is frequently the requirement for a travel history, so we will be taking that into account.”

Addressing the nation during the televised and streamed press conference, he told persons to be on their guard for the symptoms and how Monkeypox presents.

“We are dealing with a new infectious disease and I think how Barbadians can protect themselves is by knowing how the disease spreads and if you understand how the disease spreads you can certainly make efforts to protect yourself and your loved ones and your families.”

According to Dr George, Monkeypox is “spread through close, intimate contact” and he stressed that the “contact needs to be with infected lesions” or it may also come from fomites and droplets and aerosalised spread is also known.”

The disease has a prodromal phase, which includes flu-ish-like symptoms and muscle pains. Then after the prodromal phase the rash begins, “and it takes several forms, starts out as a simple bump, then a vesicle, then pustule, exudate with fluid and then finally crusting over.”

Persons are warned that “Individuals are most infectious at the beginning when the rash appears”, transmission is not as likely in the initial prodromal phase.

The duration of symptoms lasts between 14 to 21 days. “The period of isolation for a positive case is 21 days and you will be monitored by the public health team. The Ministry of Health has already done some sensitisation with public health officials,” he disclosed,

And he urged, “So this is another appeal to the Barbadian public that in a time of COVID when we understood the basic public health measures, we will get through this together.”

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Sandals Resorts International has reportedly expressed an interest in the dormant Jolly Beach Resort.

Information Minister Hon. Melford Nicholas provided the update at this week’s post-cabinet media briefing, indicating that the interest from SRI is one of the options in the medium to long term plan for the property which sits on a prime beach-front location.

Sandals, a Jamaican hotel chain started by the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, currently operates sixteen other resorts across the Caribbean, including the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa.

Minister Nicholas says in the interim, work will begin next week for the short-term rehabilitation of the property readying it for the November start of the winter tourism season.

Editor’s Note: This report was first published by state media. Readers should note that ABS is not known for reporting fairly and truthfully on topics involving the government.

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Premier David Burt unveiled a US$15 million economic relief package in parliament on Friday to help Bermuda’s working families hit by rising prices. CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP FOR NEWS UPDATES.

Burt, who is also Minister of Finance, said financial support will be given to people with children in public schools and LED light bulbs will be bought by the government and handed out to households to reduce energy bills.

Payroll tax rebates are expected to be offered to 75 per cent of the island’s workforce and more money will be made available to help cover food costs for families in receipt of financial assistance.

Burt said the relief package was made possible by a controversial travel authorisation form, which tourists and locals have to fill in before arrival on the island at a cost of $40.

The form, which initially cost travellers $75, generated an estimated $14 million for government coffers last year and is budgeted to bring in some $22 million during the current financial year. Opposition party legislators have called for it to be scrapped.

“Bermuda is an affluent society. But that affluence has created a society in which economic pressures make it increasingly difficult for many hard-working people to keep up. Legitimate aspirations are frustrated by runaway costs of basic items which are necessities for life in this community. The high cost of living creates circumstances which sometimes defy economic theory but create a reality which the government has a responsibility to address,” said Burt as he addressed Parliament.

He added: “I am pleased to inform this Honourable House that part of the relief package will include a payroll tax rebate for workers making less than $96 000, which makes up 75 per cent of Bermuda’s workforce.

“Individuals earning less than $60 000 annually will receive a $250 rebate and those earning between $60 000 and $96 000 will receive a $100 rebate.

“Many will say this relief package is not enough, and as a government – we get it; but it is also critical we balance being fiscally responsible while providing relief.

“This package is not perfect but it is a start and will make a difference in the lives of many Bermudians who want to know the government is on their side and has their best interests at heart.”

The Premier added: “It is important to reiterate that these relief items would not be possible without the increase in revenue received from the travel authorisation and tourism-related taxes.”

Burt earlier announced a 2.75 per cent rise in pensions for the island’s 10,000 senior citizens, backdated for 12 months.

The increase will take basic contributory pensions from $1 077.14 a month to $1 106.75, and maximum contributory pensions from $1 564.18 to $1 607.19 per month.

Bermuda’s current national debt stands at $3.1 billion. Youth unemployment is running at 30 per cent.

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