Cheers and jeers as demonstrators clash at High Court ruling on buggery law

It was an emotionally charged scene on the steps of the High Court in Port of Spain as scores of pro LGBTQI activists experienced a sense of victory that the buggery laws were one step closer to being removed, as they received word that presiding judge, Justice Devendra Rampersad deemed the laws as unconstitutional and null and void.

The activists many of whom were clad in gay pride insignia and rainbow-coloured flags were moved to tears when they heard of the ruling in what many have described as a landmark case in TT's history.

Despite a brief confrontation between the activists and some members of the Jamaat al-Muslimeen on the steps of the High Court which led to the intervention of officers of the Guard and Emergency Branch of the police service who promptly dispersed the crowd from along the staircase.

 

Speaking with reporters after the ruling was made public, gay-rights activist and head of the campaign to repeal the buggery laws, Jason Jones expressed satisfaction with the ruling and said he was more relieved knowing the justice system and TT society as a whole were closer to accepting the LGBTQI community.

As Jones and his supporters emerged from the court, they were approached by former People's National Movement (PNM) activist Christine Livia aka "Twiggy", who expressed her disapproval of homosexuals and said such practices were not welcome in Trinidad.

Earlier, leader of the Jamaat al-Muslimeen Imam Yasin Abu Bakr spoke to Newsday and said he and his followers remained opposed to any form of homosexuality and described these acts as deviations from the word of God.