19th
May 2012
United and
Strong Marks International Day Against Homophobia
and Transphobia
Merissa Stephen
May
17th, International Day Against Homophobia and
Transphobia (IDAHO), was on Thursday morning
recognized through demonstration by the human
rights organization, United and Strong Inc (U&S).
The
first of its kind undertaken by the 10 year
old organization, U&S members on Thursday
morning, alongside supporters, made known to
St. Lucia that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) community will not remain
unseen, nor unheard.
With
education and sensitization at the fore of their
movement, U&S congregated outside the Francis
Compton Building, home to the Ministry of Education,
and proceeded towards the Graham Louisy Building
where the office of the Prime Minister is located.
Kenita
Placide, Executive Director of U&S indicated
that the demonstration had long been on the
agenda of the organization. U&S, the only
organization catering to the needs of the LGBT
community in St. Lucia took a stance, further
advocating for the elimination of stigma, discrimination
and hatred against marginalized communities.
“Yes homophobia exists here and there
are gay persons living in this community, living
in this society, part of families,” Placide
said.
“It’s
simply to let people know that we are here,
we are working, we will not be stopping and
it is only the beginning of even starting the
process of eliminating stigma and discrimination.
It has to continue, we have to heighten the
awareness of human rights because if we can
understand what humans right are, we can actually
recognize when these rights are being violated.
So our stance today is the beginning of many
to come,” Kenita explained.
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