lgbt - Haiti Observer Blog

The terms lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) describe distinct groups within the gay culture. In the face of love, this group believes, everyone is equal and should be treated equally. Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity is against international human rights law and standards. Their demands can be divided into six main categories -- preventing violence against the LGBT community, full recognition of gay families, including equality in surrogacy, providing appropriate social welfare to LGBT people, equality in health care, and educating the general population for tolerance and acceptance of the LGBT community. Some countries (about 25 nations, all of which are developed democracies or developing democracies), recognize same-sex marriage. By contrast, 10 countries or jurisdictions, all of which are Islamic and ruled by Islamic law (Sharia), impose the death penalty for homosexuality.

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I think we need to start talking about this subject. Is there room for people who are gay or lesbian in Haiti? Due to several incidents of violence on gay and lesbian people in Haiti recently, many think that Haiti is one of the most hostile countries in the world in regard to LGBT. If you listen to the demonstrators protesting against gay and lesbian in Haiti, you would believe that there is no room for these people in Haiti. Some members of the society think it's OK to even commit physical violence against anyone who expresses these tendencies.

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LGBT or Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community of Haiti managed to gather over 300 women and men whose sexual orientation is disgraced and greatly disapproved by Haitian society. This gathering was meant to ask the country to stop the discrimination against them. On May 17, 2012, a man spoke in Hotel Montana during the first National Congress of LGBT Population in Haiti where he said that he was proud to be the part of LGBT community.

This event was marked by the presence of the supporting institutions for the International Day against Homophobia. Some of the institutions which participated in the first National Congress of LGBT Population were: Kouraj, AIDS and Promoters Target Zero, Ministry of Public Health, FACDIS (Women in Action against Sexual Discrimination), Sérovie, UNDP, UNAIDS, movement initiator working with UNFPA (United Nations Funds for Population Activities) and Housing Works.

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The government of Haiti (GOH) and Haitian culture does not support the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transsexual (LGBT) movement. In fact they openly oppose LGBT rights, having expressed their disapproval as far back as 1986.

The Roman Catholic Church and its affiliated groups have also condemned existence and practice of same-sex relationships. But one faith does show acceptance of LGBT people, Voodoo believers. LGBT persons are welcomed to participate in ritualistic rites, and are allowed to ascend the hierarchy as long as they prove themselves worthy.

The Diaspora, in New York City, in 2007 founded social service agency, Haitian Lesbian and Gay Alliance, (HLGA) to support the LGBT community and raise awareness in Haiti. Encouraged by the HLGA's public endorsement, a sprinkling of Haitian gays participated in a gay civil-rights march in 2008, the first of its kind in Haiti.

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