Trinidad and Tobago

At a glance

Same Sex Relations Legal? YES

Legal Gender Recognition Possible? NO

LGBTI Orgs Able to Register? YES

Actions Related to SOGI at the UN 2016: Abstained from voting on IE SOGI

Overview

Trinidad and Tobago has made progress on LGBTIQ issues in the past decade; however, there are still significant barriers to full LGBTIQ equality. In 2018, the High Court of Justice decriminalized same-sex relations. Trinidad and Tobago has a law banning “homosexuals” from immigrating. Although this law is not enforced, it contributes to the general antipathy towards LGBTIQ people in Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago remains conservative on LGBTIQ issues. There are no laws explicitly protecting LGBTIQ people from discrimination or hate crimes; therefore, government officials and private citizens subject LGBTIQ people to harassment, discrimination, and social rejection, with impunity. Transgender individuals are particularly vulnerable as there are no legal gender recognition procedures. Religious leaders and politicians publicly disparage LGBTIQ people and oppose progress towards LGBTIQ equality, even as the LGBTIQ community experiences greater visibility and societal acceptance.