T&T's pride parade returns to Port of Spain for 5th anniversary
Trinidad and Tobago's pride parade returned to the streets of Port of Spain for its third parade, the fifth year of celebrating and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, over the weekend.
Members and allies came out to this year's Pride Fair and Parade, which took place on Sunday along Tragarete Road and culminated in St Clair.
The physical parade was halted in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the event continued virtually with online events, webinars, performances and more.
US Chargé d'Affaires Shante Moore was also present, as well as British High Commissioner Harriet Cross and other Embassy representatives, to show support for the event and for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Many turned out in their rainbow-coloured outfits and costumes, lending a festive air to the parade.
Co-chair of Pride TT Rudy Hanamji said ironically the parade was supposed to be postponed this year but they still managed to have the event.
Co-founder and former director Kennedy Maraj said having visibility is important to recognise the struggles members of the LGBTIA+ community encounter via discrimination and even the threat of physical harm.
The parade was first held in 2018 to bring visibility and support to the LGBTQIA+ community after the 2017 murder of Sasha Fierce, who was an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and an HIV spokesperson.
In another first, in 2018, Trinidad and Tobago's High Court ruled that the criminalisation of consenting same-sex acts between adults is unconstitutional. Government said it intends to appeal the matter.
The physical parade was halted in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the event continued virtually with online events, webinars, performances and more.
US Chargé d'Affaires Shante Moore was also present, as well as British High Commissioner Harriet Cross and other Embassy representatives, to show support for the event and for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Many turned out in their rainbow-coloured outfits and costumes, lending a festive air to the parade.
Co-chair of Pride TT Rudy Hanamji said ironically the parade was supposed to be postponed this year but they still managed to have the event.
Co-founder and former director Kennedy Maraj said having visibility is important to recognise the struggles members of the LGBTIA+ community encounter via discrimination and even the threat of physical harm.
The parade was first held in 2018 to bring visibility and support to the LGBTQIA+ community after the 2017 murder of Sasha Fierce, who was an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and an HIV spokesperson.
In another first, in 2018, Trinidad and Tobago's High Court ruled that the criminalisation of consenting same-sex acts between adults is unconstitutional. Government said it intends to appeal the matter.
