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PORT OF SPAIN- There were no rainbow-coloured flags, flamboyant costumes or shouts of "we are here" yesterday.
Instead, there was a quiet message delivered to six government ministries advocating policy change toward the gay and lesbian communities in Trinidad and Tobago.
Yesterday, more than 50 countries around the world celebrated, IDAHO (the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia).
It is the date which marks the declassification of homosexuality as a mental illness by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Colin Robinson, president of the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO), told reporters at the International Waterfront Centre that he had handed over to ministers’ representatives "six politically feasible steps that our government can take to end and to address homophobia in Trinidad and Tobago".
These steps include Government speaking forcefully about embracing the full citizenship and humanity of Trinbagonians who are gay.
The other steps include equal opportunity for members of the community, reduction or eradication of crime against the gay and lesbian community and the police’s treatment of members of this group.
The other three proposals include the creating of measures which would steer members of the gay and lesbian community away from sex work, a solid gender policy for the gay and lesbian community and safe schools for all sexual orientations.
Robinson said that yesterday morning they encountered, "some hostility", but were able to "charm" their way through to the ministers’ representatives. —Gyasi Gonzales
Interview with Colin Robinson of CAISO from globewriter on Vimeo.
UNAIDS Caribbean Director Dr Ernest Massiah released a special message to mark this year’s International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.
UNAIDS Caribbean Director Dr Ernest Massiah released a special message to mark this year’s International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.
"Many of us have someone in our families who is gay. Or bisexual. Similarly, we have family members who are tall. Or short. But we don’t make an issue of the tall or short ones, or hide to talk about them. (...) 
Trinidad and Tobago’s LGBT community marched through Port-of-Spain on May 11 to urge legislators to outlaw age, HIV and sexual discrimination in commemoration of this year’s IDAHO.
Trinidad and Tobago’s LGBT community marched through Port-of-Spain on May 11 to urge legislators to outlaw age, HIV and sexual discrimination in commemoration of this year’s IDAHO.
“The goal of the walk is to raise awareness about and to urge decision-makers to ensure everyone is treated equally and given the same (...) 
In Trinidad & Tobago the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia was marked for the first time. Activists from CAISO, the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation, held a series of events and consultations with various ministries to discuss ways to improve the lives of LGBT people in their community. Photos from the event are available here. Interestingly for a country where same-sex relationships are illegal, the Coalition managed to meet with Ministries (...) 
Gays and transgender people will take to the streets of Port-of-Spain today walking to 16 ministries to mark the country’s first observance of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. The Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO) stated that today’s event would be the first observance of its kind. On May 17, over 50 countries around the world celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), marking the declassification of (...) 
WHO: CAISO: the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation, a nation-building non-governmental organization that is Trinidad & Tobago’s leading advocacy voice for dignity, equality and full citizenship for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people
WHAT: GLBT people and allies walk through the streets of downtown Port of Spain delivering packages to the offices of 16 Government Ministers. The packages contain: a gift that playfully humanizes their message; (...) 
