Jack Warner, Minister of Works and Infrastructure [of Trinidad and Tobago], quipped in response to questions about adding HIV, sexual orientation and age to the Equal Opportunities Bill: “if Obama could do it then who are we?” (Trinidad Guardian)
President Obama's statement on marriage equality has mostly been discussed in the context of domestic politics, but it's important to recognise its ramifications internationally. The ties between the English-speaking Caribbean and the US go far beyond the geopolitical - the West Indian diaspora maintains close connections (Colin Powell, Eric Holder, Louis Farrakhan and Biggie Smalls are all children of West Indian immigrants). The cultural links between Brooklyn and Port of Spain are closer than those between Brooklyn and Oklahoma City. And Obama's personal popularity in the region is immense.
In Trinidad and Tobago, like most of the English-speaking Caribbean, homosexuality is illegal. While there is little active persecution of the LGBT community, there are also very few legal protections. But groups like CAISO (the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation) are actively campaigning for equality. One of their leading avenues is a call to amend the country's Equal Opportunities bill to protect people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, HIV status and age. As Jack Warner's response clearly indicates, Obama's statement on marriage equality carries weight in their deliberations.
While adding sexual orientation and HIV status to the equal opportunities law would be important, though incremental steps, there's some indication that Obama's statement has shifted the conversation even further.
The Trinidad and Tobago government will “sooner or later” outline its position regarding same sex marriage in the country.
"It is a matter being discussed by the Government at the moment and I'm sure that sooner or later you will be provided by a policy decision on such matters," Foreign Affairs and Communications Minister Suruj Rambachan told reporters at the end of the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday. (Jamaica Observer)