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; information on IDAHO; and a list of six politically feasible steps the Government can take to strengthen the promise of equality for all citizens and address the violence, discrimination and social vulnerability caused by homophobia
WHEN: May 17, 2011, starting at 10:00 am. Estimated duration – 2 hours
WHERE: Government Ministry Head Offices in downtown Port of Spain, in sequence:
1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Waterfront Complex: Tower C, Level 14, One Wrightson Road
2. Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development, International Waterfront Complex: Tower C, Level 6, One Wrightson Road
3. Ministry of Justice, International Waterfront Complex: Tower C, Level 21, One Wrightson Road
4. Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education, International Waterfront Complex: Tower C, Level 18, One Wrightson Road
5. Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs, International Waterfront Complex: Energy Tower, Level 26, One Wrightson Road
6. Ministry of Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs, Eric Williams Financial Complex: Level 14, Independence Square (between St. Vincent & Edward Streets)
7. Ministry of Finance, Eric Williams Financial Complex: Level 8, Independence Square (between St. Vincent & Edward Streets)
8. Ministry of the People and Social Development, ANSA Building, corner Abercromby Street & Independence Square
9. Ministry of Trade and Industry, Nicholas Tower: Level 17, 63-65 Independence Square (corner Abercromby Street)
10. Ministry of Legal Affairs, Registration House, Huggins Building, 72-74 South Quay (between Abercromby & Chacon Streets)
11. Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, 12 Abercromby Street (between Indpendence Square & Park Street)
12. Ministry of Public Administration, National Library Building: Level 7, corner Hart and Abercromby Streets
13. Ministry of National Security, 31-33 Abercromby Street (between Knox and Duke Streets)
14. Ministry of Tourism, Clarence House, 127-129 Duke Street (corner St. Vincent Street)
15. Ministry of the Attorney General, Cabildo Chambers, 23-27 St. Vincent Street (between Knox & Sackville Streets)
16. Ministry of Works and Transport, corner Richmond and London Streets: Level 6
WHY: On May 17, over 50 countries around the world celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, marking the anniversary of one of the most powerful steps in advancing human rights for GLBT people globally – the declassification of homosexuality as a mental illness by the World Health Organization 21 years ago. IDAHO is recognized by the State in a number of countries, including Brazil and Cuba, which includes a month of government-sponsored activities, and is observed in Jamaica and in Guyana, this year for the sixth year. IDAHO is a global collaboration to take local action to engage violence, stigma, unequal treatment and state oppression, including criminal laws, that target people on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender expression. It is an occasion to call for and demonstrate political action, to build public awareness, and to mobilize alliances within and across borders. The international celebration of a day against homophobia was spearheaded by a Caribbean man, Martiniquan Georges-Louis Tin.
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 (...) 
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 (...) 
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 (...) 
