Landmark Ruling: Eastern Caribbean Court Strikes Down Anti-Gay Legislation

In a historic decision, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has struck down a colonial-era law in St. Lucia that criminalized gay sex, bringing hope to the island's LGBTQ+ community. This move is hailed as a significant step forward for human rights in the conservative region.

Raise Your Voice St. Lucia, a nonprofit organization, described the ruling as a beacon of hope, especially given recent setbacks in other Caribbean nations like St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago. The law, which imposed up to 10 years of imprisonment, was rarely enforced but posed a persistent threat to the community.

Legal challenges to similar laws have been successful in several other Caribbean territories since 2019, with the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality playing a crucial role in these efforts. The recent ruling reinforces the need for continued progress to ensure equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals across the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)