- SASOD attends Caribbean Women and
Sexual Diversity Conference 2015
By Alana Da Silva - Secretary,
SASOD’s Board of Directors
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| Photo courtesy: Melanie Grant |
Over 50
lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LBT) women, feminists and heterosexual
allies converged as a community at the 3rd Caribbean Women and Sexual Diversity
Conference, from October 5 to 11, 2015. The conference was held at the Kapok
Hotel in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
As LBT women
and feminist allies of the Caribbean and Latin America, part of the joy (and
challenge) of participating in the conference was in sharing our experiences
and incredible stories of love, friendship, and ways to build a supportive and
sustainable community that challenges and increases the leadership capabilities
of women - regardless of our sexual orientations and gender identities. At the
same time, we learned how to navigate the social, political, and religious structures
that designed to control women’s sexualities, which is inherently diverse but
often criticised and criminalised due to fear, ignorance, and oppression.
The
discussions were thought-provoking and sometimes deeply emotional, as one
participant recalled her struggle with suicide, anxiety and depression. Others
have overcome similar challenges with lesbophobia, biphobia and transphobia,
while manoeuvring through self-care and acceptance. Our shared bond is that we
continue to strengthen our resolve by advocating for the most vulnerable in our
communities. This is achieved through various actions across the region,
including LGBT-focused research; housing and security for victims of domestic
and gender-based violence; training and information sharing; literacy
programmes for children, or providing a safe space to share each other’s rich
artistry and creativity, as in the case of Afifa Aza, Jamaican Artist, as well
as Founder and Creative Director at SO((U))L.
There was also
an LBT Women’s Movement Building exercise (facilitated by UWI’s Institute of
Gender Studies researcher at St. Augustine, Dr. Gabrielle Hosein) which
revealed that though we originate from varying backgrounds and territories, our
values and cultures are interwoven; shaping the way we interact with each
other, make decisions, and build relationships. This, along with (re)education,
is the catalyst that helps us to break loose from the status quo, and to
reshape our identity as women, feminists, activists, and human beings. For me,
it was an honour to witness history in the making, surrounded by so many women
who are doing their part to shape the future for generations to come. However
miniscule or gigantic the outcome, positive change is inevitable with these
powerful women at the forefront.
Other
facilitators and focus group sessions provided useful information on community
grassroots organising; fund-raising for non-governmental organisations (NGOs);
negative stereotypes and violence; women’s sexual and mental health; security
for women’s human rights defenders; using art as activism, and presentation
skills. There was also a gift exchange that procured a multitude of authentic
Caribbean artifacts - and of course, bottles of rum! - from Jamaica, St. Lucia,
Trinidad and other territories. It was a festival thereafter! :)) A yoga
session was also built into the conference for the early risers and a ‘Meet and
Greet’ after a full day of soul-searching and capacity building.
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Photo courtesy: United and Strong, St. Lucia
|
I represented
the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) as Board
Secretary, and Guyanese woman activist. We attended the conference with the aim
of collaborating with other LGBT activists, strengthening our approach in the
quest for equality, and building meaningful and sustainable partnerships with
other human rights and non-governmental organisations across the Caribbean and
Latin American region, and worldwide.
Since the
conference, I have been thinking seriously about my role in advocacy and how I
can (as an individual and as part of the collective voice/effort) achieve equal
rights for LGBT people in Guyana
#CSWDC2015 has taught me many things, but most importantly, it
has shown me the bigger picture of why we advocate for the voiceless and the
most vulnerable in our communities — and why the vision of doing so weighs
heavy on my heart and my conscience. I cannot see suffering or injustice and
not render assistance. I cannot just merely watch from the sidelines.
And though some of
my efforts may seem like a mere speck or a drop in the bucket, I have learned
that however long it takes, our commitment is paramount to achieving
success(es) in the struggle for equality. It also requires me to believe in
myself — and activating that belief by doing the seemingly insignificant but
monumental things that result in change.
As scary and as
tiring as it can be, I am committed to working towards that change for LGBT
people – myself included.
I sincerely
thank the organisers of this year’s conference, United
and Strong, St. Lucia and WOMANTRA of Trinidad and Tobago, for doing
such a stellar job of motivating and inspiring me to take up the mantle and be
the change that I want to see. Cheers to that!
The 4th
Caribbean Women and Sexual Diversity Conference 2016 will be held in St. Croix,
US Virgin Islands, under the auspices of Liberty Place and Debra Benjamin.
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Gifts from the various participants
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Highlights
from the conference can be viewed on Facebook and Twitter; hashtag #CWSDC2015.
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