The U.S Department of State’s Human Rights Report on Antigua and Barbuda has brought to the forefront a critical issue regarding the country’s legal framework and human rights protections, particularly concerning LGBTQI+ individuals.
Despite significant strides in global LGBTQI+ rights, Antigua and Barbuda’s failure to amend its anti-buggery laws, following a court ruling deeming certain sections unconstitutional in 2022, remains a contentious and pressing issue.
The report’s detailed examination reveals the complexity and challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in the country. It underscores the legal ambiguity and societal attitudes that continue to hinder progress towards equality and inclusion.
Background: Anti-Buggery Laws and Court Ruling
The report highlights that sections of the law criminalizing certain sexual activities between same-sex consenting adults were declared unconstitutional by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in 2022.
Specifically, sodomy and consensual same-sex sexual conduct were criminalized under indecency statutes, with severe penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment for sodomy and five years’ imprisonment for same-sex sexual conduct.
Despite the court’s ruling, the law has not been amended, leading to ongoing legal ambiguity and challenges for LGBTQI+ individuals in Antigua and Barbuda.
While enforcement of these laws is reported to be limited, their existence perpetuates stigma and discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons.
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The existence of anti-buggery laws fosters a climate of fear and discrimination, even if not actively enforced. LGBTQI+ individuals face societal prejudices, limited legal protections, and barriers to full participation in society. The lack of legal recognition for LGBTQI+ couples and families further exacerbates these challenges, denying them rights equal to other citizens.
The report notes that LGBTQI+ persons also encounter difficulties in finding employment due to discrimination by both state and non-state actors.
This discrimination not only affects individuals’ economic well-being but also contributes to broader social exclusion and marginalization.
Legal Recognition and Gender Identity
Another aspect highlighted in the report is the absence of legal processes for individuals to change their gender identity marker on legal documents.
This lack of legal recognition and support for gender diversity further compounds the challenges faced by transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals in Antigua and Barbuda.
While the report acknowledges a reduction in antagonistic behavior towards LGBTQI+ persons following the court ruling, significant challenges persist. The failure to amend the anti-buggery laws represents a significant hurdle in advancing LGBTQI+ rights and addressing discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
Moreover, the report underscores that the law’s mere existence fosters stigma and discrimination, impacting the well-being and rights of LGBTQI+ individuals. The lack of legal protections and recognition contributes to a climate of inequality and exclusion, hindering progress towards a more inclusive and equitable society.
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The report emphasizes the importance of aligning national laws and practices with international human rights standards, including those related to LGBTQI+ rights. It calls for legal reforms to ensure equal rights and protections for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
International organizations and advocates have also highlighted the need for comprehensive legal reforms and societal acceptance to address discrimination and promote LGBTQI+ rights in Antigua and Barbuda. These efforts are essential for creating an environment where LGBTQI+ individuals can live free from discrimination, violence, and stigma.
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In conclusion, Antigua and Barbuda’s failure to amend its anti-buggery laws despite a court ruling represents a significant challenge to LGBTQI+ rights and human rights more broadly. The persistence of discriminatory laws and societal attitudes hinders progress towards equality, inclusion, and respect for diversity. Addressing these challenges requires legal reforms, social acceptance, and concerted efforts to uphold the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
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As much as I don’t want to be a Chinese citizen they don’t have this foolishness over there
Antigua is so right not to change their Laws. Kudos Antigua and Barbuda
This LBTQRSTUV is pure nastiness
The US is trying to corrupt this great island to follow the indecencies like Sodom and Gomorrah, which goes against the teachings of God. Antigua should stand firm on not changing the law!
The issue is NOT Antigua “amending” its laws to legally “same-sex” relationships. The issue IS asking a Christian nation to support, encourage, and accept homosexuality.
It is time for God to arise in this land and for god-fearing people to REBUKE this demonic lifestyle. It is also time for the godliness to arise in this land.
God made NO MISTAKE and here come AMERICA wanting every nation under the sun to encourage adhere to their live styles
Even if you take hormones to change your body die and in 2 weeks dig up ur body and all initial chromosomes will be present
AMERICA LEAVE ANTIGUA & ANTIGUANS ALONE PLEASE & TONKS
Not only do they need to leave us alone , but they also need to confiscate us for the damages they have done to our offshore gaming sector.
These people want to impose their live styles on the world. Antiguans are not interfering with lesbians and homosexuals. They are allowed to live their lives. Is the government putting cameras in people’s homes to record buggery and use of sex toys. Can’t understand why some people are so obsessed with this issue. Are they trying to recruit people into the lifestyle? Just leave Antigua alone.
I simply hate America for this nastiness, I pray that our government of the day does not adhere to such rubbish.
The article suggest that there needs to be an amendment to the law given the court ruling that the buggery law is unconstitutional. This is inaccurate. Once the court declares the law unconstitutional, it is deemed struck down to the extent of its inconsistency with the constitution. It is null and void. It is as if it doesn’t exist. No amendment is required legally.
You are correct.
USA needs to go mind their own business and leave this sovereign nation of Antigua and Barbuda to mind our own. Playing self-righteous and up to now they have failed to honour the WTO ruling that told them to compensate us for the income they caused us to lose. Don’t be talking about laws, when you are a law unto yourself. How unjust, to cause a developing nation to lose millions of dollars and don’t care how they survive, yet when the friendly nation of China tries to help Antigua, the US of A, shout about human rights violations in China. What about you violating our human rights by not honoring the ruling of the WTO? What about all your human rights violations against non white people over the centuries without any compension to them for being disadvantaged in your society? A whole sector of the US population live in abject poverty, crime infested streets and are given a sub standard education with no care from the US government because they are largely non white. That is the greatest of human rights violations! Don’t try and play self righrlteous and poke your head in our laws when you, keep violating the human rights of your own citizens and that of many little developing nations! There are women whose human rights are being violated all over the Middle East, but a blind eye is turned because of the oil, these human rights violations is what the USA needs to poke their head into. There are Christians whose human rights are being violated, in Sudan, poke your head in that! Leave Antigua and its laws alone, there is a lot you could learn from us!
You people live in a shoe box. It’s sad how little the minds of my people are, we’ll forever be 3rd world country because, of people like those above. Probably never left the island let alone the Caribbean. The world is so big and full of some may other things to think and care about, rather than who Tom or Mary is sleeping with. These reports are gearing up to tell us exactly why we wouldn’t get the US embassy here, you’re small thinking makes you fail to see how the country benefits from moving into the ‘new world’. So because of people that thinking like you, other developing countries, will leave us still tying our shoes when the race is already on the way.
@disappointed citizen….if you don’t stand up for something you will end up falling for anything. Because a country has more resources and is bigger doesn’t mean every coolaid they give you, you will swallow. Because they adopt a policy doesn’t mean it’s progressive. If tomorrow they pass a law that humans can have relationships with animals, you are saying if Antigua stands against that and stand for certain principles we hold dear, we are automatically small minded and must have never travelled. Nonsense! You must have a character strong enough to live among people and not be corrupted by them. If Antigua doesn’t share the same values as America on the LBGTQ…that does not mean we are small minded, there was a time when America had our values, we are a sovereign nation we cannot be twisted and turned to suit America’s self interest while they do not care about our interest. Disappointed citizen, it’s time for you to be free to think for your self and chart your own destiny! No more a slave…!
@Disappointed citizen, lots of us have actually left this rock, lived and worked in these so-called first world countries. Look at all the chaos and confusion they have there. We are certainly not missing out on anything at all. Again, when the US handles it’s business then they can tell these small island states how to live.
Wow! What faith is it, that might impose its self serving perversion on the citizens of a country; culture and people’s knowledge of self and rightful place in nature? The parting of the sexes is ordained by the Creator of nature. Less one become folly and deem otherwise : such as to be anti-nature, and subjective to choices just for choice. Thus, causing disharmony against natural attractions of the sexes for inclusion after a choice of self-rejection as exclusion and no lesson learned from nature. Simply observed any of all Creations: None! but for the wanton selfishness of wanting to make noise, and clammer for relevance proffered in the name of love most bountifully bestowed. Yet, not for want for procreation for continuance of our species. Then after the recruitment into a contemptible subjective emasculation; to then come, with false pride of elated effeminate posturing vying to out perform the Jack-dikes, and Swan-hens; and yet expecting for inclusion in the noble ranks of Man & Woman: who has no choice but to remain true, and conscious to creation, at the behest of the Creator’s will: such as to be fruitful and multiply. (And so to do.) To hell with alternate sexual life style. And harkened unto God: The provider of meaning, and purpose of will.
@disappointed citizen….if you don’t stand up for something you will end up falling for anything. Because a country has more resources and is bigger doesn’t mean every coolaid they give you, you will swallow. Because they adopt a policy doesn’t mean it’s progressive. If tomorrow they pass a law that humans can have relationships with animals, you are saying if Antigua stands against that and stand for certain principles we hold dear, we are automatically small minded and must have never travelled. Nonsense! You must have a character strong enough to live among people and not be corrupted by them. If Antigua doesn’t share the same values as America on the LBGTQ…that does not mean we are small minded, there was a time when America had our values, we are a sovereign nation we cannot be twisted and turned to suit America’s self interest while they do not care about our interest. Disappointed citizen, it’s time for you to be free to think for your self and chart your own destiny! No more a slave…!
BABYLON IS FALLING BUGGARY IS WRONG…JUST AS POPERY BEHIND THE SEENS PUSHING IT…JESUS IS COMING SOON…HE MADE ADAM AND EVE NOVT ADAM AND STEVE….STOP GIVING YOUR CHILDREN VACCINE THEY ARE THE ONES MESSING WITH THEIR GENES THROUGH THE VACCINE….
“22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. ”
Romans 1:22-32 KJV
https://www.unfeignedbible.app/Romans.1.22
THIS IS WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THEIR SIN AND THE CHRISTIAN UP HOLDERS TO
REMEMBER SODOM AND GOMORRAH
My question to society is, do you hold the same sentiment to lesbians or bi women. I see a big double standard in our society where many of you will accept lesbians and bisexual women but condemn the antyman. Fire bun all lesbians, bi, antyman, and any alphabet sodomite and Gomorrah duty hearted people. In town you see so many young girls who display their bi and homosexual affections to their female partners and everyone turn a blind eye. Many of you also know which, women are lesbians and bi and you all still support and embrace them. You can’t have one foot in and one foot out. fire bun dem all.
Alot of you hypocrites conveniently quote what the bible says as it relates to man bvlling man, but commit all other sins and people must accept it. Let people bull in peace its their b*tty. Some are you woman love b*d in are batty too and yuh man dem just make allyuh push things in their b^tty. The enire world is corrupt and nasty
Why can’t PEOPLE STOP JUDGING these people for their life choices? At the end of the day, they are the ones to answer for their lifestyle if found blasphemous in the sight of god. People should be allowed to live as they please. None of you commenting here live right nor are you perfect.
☠️😎🦉❌🏴✝️✝️🏥☦️❎⛑️☠️🏴☠️….🤣the funny thing is, this kind of living, lifestyle, indoctrinated, inherited or manifested has being in the HUEman Culture especially, in the CARIBBEAN, it was simply kept under wraps, ignored, laughed playfully at, hidden in the catacombs of the RELIGIOUS and EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, and even in plain sight!
To those #who’re thinking, and or believing, that this is an American Agenda, just for #Rum_Shop Talk sake, apprise yourself of the well documented stories of the Flavians, Caesars, Romans, French, British Royalties and theocracies.
Lest many of you in the Caribbean forget, two of the biggest attractions to the Caribbean which brings in revenues which ALL get a piece of, is CARNIVAL and TOURISM.
CARNIVAL aka BACCHANALIA has its roots in the Greeks festivals of Bacchus and Dionysus(gods of drunkardness, gluttony and orgy).
TOURISM is rum/alcohol, sun, fun of any make, model or description.
Get real folks! These little, so called amendments to the ‘laws..’ are as, significant, as ONLY 144.000 HUEmans, that’s gonna make it, through #HELLSGATE, #ZIONGATE or #DUST_in_The_Wind!
One think is certain, the Essence of Nature’s Ether does not fake its reality, in terms of CONCEIVE, BORN, GROW, PRODUCE and REPRODUCE.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
Despite their touted economic development, the US society is a moral mess. strong societies are built on strong families. HETEROSEXUAL families, where children have a mother and a father, it’s just a fact. Yes there are people who want to do their own thing (and they’ve always been doing it anyway) but trying to twist the rest of society to accommodate their whims is a recipe for trouble. Where does it stop? I saw a girl on Tiktok that identifies as an insect? Does she not have rights too, well according to them she should.
Hats off to My Prime Minister. Our 🌎 boss. Antigua is blessed and protected by the most high. 🙏 the day we change our laws is the day we go face our punishment. Please leave us alone.
If People wants to be an animal is there any law that say people can be a animals and do as the animals do?
It is so they cried out in “Sadom and Gomarah, leave us alone, leave us alone, let us be”, and as Lots wife looked back, she also turned into a pillow of salt..
but many will tell you the Bible is a lie. Whether it’s the Bible or any other book of history, and as the great@Rasmood has put it ” truth is truth” and we cannot hide from it..so as we are here nashing our teeth about the alphabet society, we all must come to the truth, and that is that all should come unto repentance and follow the God given truth that is in all us, and that is we are created by the Creator, and should adhere to his ways.