On Monday, 12 December, the High Court of Barbados further undid its colonial-era homosexuality laws by scrapping Sections 9 and 12 of the Barbados Sexual Offences Act.
On Monday, 12 December, the High Court of Barbados further undid its colonial-era homosexuality laws by scrapping Sections 9 and 12 of the Barbados Sexual Offences Act.
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Also known as “buggery” and “serious indecency” laws, which criminalised consensual same-sex intimacy, punishment ranged from life imprisonment under Section 9, and up to 10 years in jail under Section 12.
Chief executive of the Human Dignity Trust, Téa Braun, said: “This is a resounding victory for LGBT people in Barbados, which is the third country in the region to decriminalise through the courts this year.
“The Trust is immensely proud to have provided technical assistance to these cases since 2015, and we heartily congratulate the whole team, especially the local litigants and lawyers who have doggedly pursued justice in the many years leading up to this momentous day.”
Barbados was one of seven remaining countries that criminalises being gay in the Western Hemisphere.
It follows the courts of Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis striking down colonial laws that criminalised LGBTQ+ people earlier this year.
Braun added: “There are now only six countries in the Americas where laws linger on the books that have been in place since colonial times criminalising LGBT people.
“Today’s decision makes clear that the remaining few must now accelerate the repeal or striking down of these stigmatising laws.”
The groundbreaking case was filed by two Barbadian LGBTQ+ advocates with local organisation Equals, and regional LGBTQ+ umbrella organisation, the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality.
One of the advocates said the ruling is “one step, one action of many impacting the LGBTQ+ community of Barbados”.
“As it resonates with me, I already know there is more work to be done. We will continue on together,” they added.
The other person involved in the lawsuit said: “Today was a pivotal moment for equality for all Barbadians and one more step in the journey towards more inclusivity for LGBT citizens.
“This will definitely mean that I and my community can navigate life with just a little more ease and comfort, in the knowledge that Barbados has taken a step to understand us and respect us.”
It comes after the small island nation agreed to recognise same-sex civil unions.
In a landmark 2021 decision from a top regional human rights tribunal, laws criminalising LGBTQ+ people across the Americas were found to violate international law.
How did this story make you feel?
On Monday, 12 December, the High Court of Barbados further undid its colonial-era homosexuality laws by scrapping Sections 9 and 12 of the Barbados Sexual Offences Act.
Also known as “buggery” and “serious indecency” laws, which criminalised consensual same-sex intimacy, punishment ranged from life imprisonment under Section 9, and up to 10 years in jail under Section 12.
The court's decision is a huge step forward for the LGBTQ community.
What's life like for LGBTQ people in Barbados?
Is homosexuality legal in Barbados?
Yes. The High Court's decision in 2022 has struck down the colonial-era laws that criminalised homosexuality.
Are there anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in Barbados?
Yes – there is legislation that was passed in August 2020 that extends anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ people.
Is there Marriage Equality in Barbados?
No, there is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships.
It appears that the country is moving towards a referendum on Marriage Equality.
What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Barbados?
Barbados is a socially conservative country. While attitudes are changing, homosexuality is still largely seen as a taboo subject.
Trans people are particularly vulnerable to harassment, assault, and violence
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