Around the world, the 25th of each month is celebrated as ‘Orange Day’, as part of a call by the United Nations Secretary General for organizations to reaffirm their commitment to ending violence against women and girls by wearing orange. As part of the observation of this day in August, the Network of NGOs of … Continue reading
Filed under Advocacy …
Hollaback! tries to end Street Harassment (August 16, 2015)
Founder of Hollaback! Trinidad, Cherry Boodhan, 28, said street harassment is a form of sexual harassment that takes place in public spaces, typically against women and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) persons. She believes “it’s gender-based violence that should be stopped as it makes the target feel intimidated and scared to walk the streets.” Street … Continue reading
Khadiha Sinanan: Helping Young People Talk About Sex (August 9, 2015)
I enjoyed doing this interview with Khadija Sinanan, in August 2015, because it was awesome to be able to show that young persons in T&T were being respected and had a voice. It was also exciting to highlight issues and topics that are important but too often are whispered about but never really spoken … Continue reading
Imani Collection: Strength comes from adversity
This was the first article I wrote for the World of Women magazine in the Trinidad Guardian in August 2015. I remember being so nervous when I went to the event and was telling people I work for the Guardian. I was wondering if I’d get the right information, something I still wonder about when … Continue reading
US judge: Gay rights are human rights (June 22, 2015)
Trinidad-born, US-based Judge G Helen Whitener says the rights of LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex) people are human rights and they are asking for respect and the right to be themselves without being persecuted. Judge Whitener, who is openly gay, sits on the Pierce County Superior Court, the highest trial court in … Continue reading
Visibility is power
I’m not here for people who are against Caitlyn Jenner’s transition and coming out, for whatever reason. I am here for the people who care that the publicity surrounding her have drawn attention to trans* people, locally and internationally. For those who don’t know, Caitlyn announced her transition and new name in an interview with Diane … Continue reading
Diary of a mothering worker. March 3, 2015.
Originally posted on grrlscene:
Post 182. At one primary school, the friendly teacher interviewing Ziya looked up from reading her form when, under religion, I listed ‘none’. ‘None?’ she clarified incredulously, examining me anew, like I was a zaboca that beguiled with firm, green potential, only to appear blackened when cut open. Inside I chuckled,…
boxing day 2014. guyana
Originally posted on freedombyanymeans:
“Whore!” was a frequent and common insult slung at her. Whore. He was fucking her whenever he pleased, had brought her to his house for that purpose, as well as to cook and clean. She had been working at the rice mill and looking after his mother who was sick and…
The facts of life
Originally posted on Feminist Conversations on Caribbean Life:
Men in high places across the region have advice for schoolgirls. Trinidad & Tobago’s Attorney General is reported as stating that date rape is a fact of life and girls should therefore be responsible especially at Christmas time. Barbados men’s rights group MESA were reported as stating…
Why Kamla and I agree
Originally posted on One nation…many bodies…boundless faith:
Last week I called my Prime Minister a political coward who’d embarrassed the nation internationally. I wasn’t alone. Joining the bobolee-thumping were the Guardian editors, several letter-to-the editor-writers, columnists in every paper, Family Planning president Gerry Brooks and Archbishop Harris. Fielding a question about our laws (we have four now, only one colonial) criminalising gay and anal sex…