United and Strong: Buggery law to be challenged!

Religious leaders from the Pentecostal, Methodist and Seventh Day Adventist churches in Saint Lucia made no bones about it: they would not support the hosting of the August 23-26 “un-Godly” LGBT Pride Celebration. At a press conference on the opening day, the organisers brushed off the criticism and promised the show would go on, regardless. That same day the group held a panel discussion at Bay Gardens Hotel. The topic: “Then and Now, Youth Engagement on the Meaning of Pride Beyond Sexual Orientation”. 

The next day, a rainbow flag, commonly known as the LGBTQ pride flag, was hoisted in William Peter Boulevard in Castries, where organisers hosted a Health and Knowledge Fair. Addressing passersby, Jessica St. Rose, chairperson on the Pride Committee, declared: “This is Saint Lucia’s very first Pride celebration. It’s a joy to see the Pride flag flying high in Saint Lucia today; this is history in the making. This is the first but it is not going to be the last. It’s all about celebrating our pride and diversity, knowing that we are safe, and that the gay, lesbian, bi- and trans-sexual community in Saint Lucia wants to be accepted.”

Also in the William Peter Boulevard, the advocacy organisation United and Strong operated a booth to provide information on the local LGBTQ community. On hand were condoms, lubricants and other merchandise. The fair offered free tests for blood sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure, courtesy the St. Lucia Diabetes & Hypertension Association. Then there was the Mobile Youth Clinic, where children received free general check-ups from pediatrician Dr. Jacqueline Bird-Compton.  

There was a remarkable lack of interest in the LGBTQ per se. The booth that offered free health services proved the main attraction. Overall turnout was disappointing but organizers appeared unfazed. As St. Rose told the STAR: “Today we’re just here having fun, educating, and of course celebrating diversity and our pride as LGBTQ persons in Saint Lucia.”   

Asked what might be the reason for the low turnout, she said: “I don’t think it’s only the church. I think it’s the general feeling in the society. We are the minority and we’re not generally accepted. So our members are still sort of fearful.” Referring to the police presence, she said the officers guaranteed a safe space “but I think generally the mindset of our community is that we are not accepted. That is why there is a low turnout here in public. However, at our other events we do have the community coming out.”

At a rally on 18 August, held by the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies (PAWI), Jamaican guest speaker Attorney Philippa Davies called on Saint Lucians to keep the buggery law in place since repealing it will open the way for same-sex marriage. “LGBT activists know they have to get rid of the buggery law first, in order to break open the dam and flood society with their lies,” she said. Presiding Bishop Dr. Thomas Eristhee told the STAR that PAWI intends to submit a petition to the government to keep the law in place. On the other hand, Jessica St. Rose considers it “a law to be challenged.”