LGBT rights differ between the various states in the Caribbean. They are influenced by previous colonization from Europe as well as each state's own interpretation of laws. For many of the states, perceptions of LGBT individuals are unfavorable, and laws lack protections and rights for the community.
The Caribbean has been heavily colonized throughout history by European countries, with Spain, England, France and the Netherlands as the main colonizers, and the United States later on. [1] With them came religion, particularly forms of Christianity such as Catholicism and Protestantism that would become integrated with many of the countries. [2] This also came with it religious views that would encourage discrimination against LGBT members [3] as well as direct legislation from the European countries. Most notable is Britain's Offences Against the Person Act 1861, which outlined many crimes and named sodomy as one of them. [4] While some of these laws would be repealed over time, some Caribbean countries maintain their own legislation that continues to outlaw sexual acts among LGBT. A notable example is Jamaica, that has laws prohibiting anal sex as well as intimacy between same-sex individuals. [5]
Country | Laws regarding same-sex behavior | Laws regarding being transgender or non-binary |
---|---|---|
Anguilla | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Antigua and Barbuda | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Aruba | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Bahamas | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Barbados | Legal gender changes not allowed; no protective laws; third genders not recognized. [16] | |
Bonaire | Gender changes on legal documents are allowed [17] and gender-neutral documentation is available. [18] | |
British Virgin Islands | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Cayman Islands | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Cuba | Legal gender changes are allowed and gender confirmation procedures are covered by health care. [23] | |
Curacao | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Dominica | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Dominican Republic | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Grenada | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Guadeloupe | Legal gender changes are allowed [28] however there is no recognition of non-binary language or individuals. [29] | |
Haiti | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Jamaica | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Martinique | Legal gender changes are allowed [28] however there is no recognition of non-binary language or individuals. [29] | |
Montserrat | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Puerto Rico | Legal gender changes are allowed [32] however there is no recognition of a third gender. | |
Saba | Gender changes on legal documents are allowed [17] and gender-neutral documentation is available. [18] | |
Saint Barthelemy | Legal gender changes are allowed [28] however there is no recognition of non-binary language or individuals. [29] | |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Saint Lucia | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Saint Martin | Legal gender changes are allowed [28] however there is no recognition of non-binary language or individuals. [29] | |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Sint Eustatius | Gender changes on legal documents are allowed [17] and gender-neutral documentation is available. [18] | |
Sint Maarten | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Trinidad and Tobago | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
Turks and Caicos Islands | Transgender rights and protections are not recognized. | |
United States Virgin Islands | Gender changes have yet to be attempted, though it is not outlawed. [39] Third genders are not recognized. |
{{
cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires |journal=
(
help)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link)