Trinidad’s Gender-Fluid Youth Are In Trouble
The island group of Trinidad and Tobago is one of the better-known countries in the Caribbean. Home to arguably the biggest carnival event, as well as soca music, the steel pan, and delicacies like roti and chutney, Trinidad is also lauded for its stable economy, lush greenery, and thriving potential.
Yet behind the smiling faces of its people lie dark truths about Trinidad’s youth. Trinidad’s high crime rate is no secret. The impact on its girls and gender-fluid youth, however, is a highly underrated issue.
In this statement, we’ll cover statistics relating to Trinidad:
- Birthing mortality rates
- Crime and violence
- Racial segregation
- Sexual abuse
- Homophobia
- Poverty
Fast facts: Trinidad and Tobago is home to 1.4 million people and is led by President Paula-Mae Weekes. It is an independent country, a republic, and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The gross domestic product of Trinidad and Tobago is USD $21.39 million.
Poverty Sets The Stage For Discrimination and Violence
Despite Trinidad’s alluring economic opportunities and high-end business potential, poverty still exists on the island.
Trinidad’s 4.1% unemployment rate in 2020 was less than Canada’s and Australia’s. However, the 1,000 persons deemed “multidimensionally poor,” as well as the 51,0000 who are vulnerable to poverty, are at major risk.
UNICEF predicted that the 1% of children living in poverty in Trinidad would, over time, increase to a whopping 10% due to COVID-19.
In most, if not all societies, vulnerability to poverty equals vulnerability to discrimination, lower income potential, and more unsanitary living conditions. Gender-fluid Trinidadian youth living in poverty face a double whammy then, as they already face discrimination on the island.
Additionally, those living in poverty are more likely to have housing in areas prone to increase crime and violence.
What does this mean for girls and gender-fluid youth?
The Impact of High Violence and Crime Rates on Trinidad’s Youth
Trinidad’s crime rates have been consistently increasing over the years. In 2017, the country received 71 reports of sexual-related offenses. In 2020, there were 399 reported murders.
The horrendous situation in poverty-stricken areas of the country closely parallels that of the US when it comes to police involvement and the black-on-black crime argument, as well as that of systemic racism.
As of 2022, Trinidad has the sixth highest crime rate in the world at 71.63 per 100,000 people. The UK government has warned visitors traveling to the island, even alerting them of the possibility of drunk driving accidents from the time they leave the airport.
While the cause of death among Trinidad’s youth is predominantly due to injury, disease, and infant mortality, there is serious oversight of violence against women and those part of the LGBTQ+ community.
In a 2018 survey, 19% of Trinidadian women aged between 15 and 64 said they experienced sexual violence in some form.
These incidence rates have led to the creation of organizations such as the Silver Lining Foundation, which focuses primarily on research-based training and advocacy programs to protect LGBTQ+ members and gender-fluid youth on the island.
Other organizations include I Am ONE TnT, the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO), and the Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS).
But is it enough, and can we help make it better?
Homophobia and The Effects on Trinidad’s Youth
Gay people were only “allowed to exist” in peace and proclaim their identity out loud a mere four years ago, in 2018. At the time, Trinidadian Jason Jones estimated there were 100,000 LGBTQ+ persons on the island.
Before 2018, gay people would have faced up to 25 years in prison for simply saying they’re gay due to the country’s former “buggery” law. Jones spoke of the relentless bullying he endured for being a gay youth in his own home — to the extent that he twice left his island due to feelings of being exiled.
His departure plus evidence of extreme homophobia helped Jones win the 2018 case, legally turning things around for every gay person in Trinidad.
Of course, the law does not necessitate a change in enduring attitudes.
It was only in 2011 that 50% of participants who responded to a newspaper poll said they would not support the government’s giving equal rights to gay community members.
Where does the youth stand in all this?
We must note that transgender students show a much higher rate of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Therefore, it’s not enough to change the law if attitudes don’t follow. Bullying, violence, and abuse will still happen.
Trans students also endure higher bullying rates and are more prone to substance abuse and sexual risk behaviors in high school.
Meanwhile, all LGBTQ+ students are reportedly “half as likely as non-LGBTQ+” students to take part in extracurricular activities relating to academics or sports.
Such activities are well-known to curb falling into substance abuse, premature sexual activities leading to STIs and other diseases, and gang-related or other violence. Thus, gender-fluid youth who do not have proper guidance and support will naturally engage in these destructive behaviors more than their peers who are preoccupied with more beneficial activities.
Child Abuse Covered Up And Ignored In Trinidad
While the above issues are enough to spur action, just recently in 2022, heinous truths came to light about a long-running case of child abuse committed in Trinidad.
Evidently, during the 1990s, several minors who entered government-run and funded children’s homes had been abused in abhorrent ways by those who were supposed to be protecting and helping them.
This included the overseer, Sister Xavier, who allegedly committed some of the most brutal levels of physical, emotional, and psychological abuse against the girls. She died in 2020.
The Sabga report, which supposedly details the events which occurred, still hasn’t been found, and so the perpetrators got away with their crimes. Many who are of a high-profile nature remain at large.
Much of the country is worried that the abuse of children will continue since the report was initially covered up by authorities now deemed cowards more than 25 years ago.
It’s safe to assume that along with the obvious hypocrisy of their inhumane acts, any abusers within the children’s home would have committed extensive harm to gender-fluid youth due to their religious beliefs.
Those no longer in the children’s home naturally are more likely to do so outside the institution as well.
The African-Indian Divide In Trinidad
Another major issue Trinidad’s youth are subject to is the ongoing divide between races on the island. 34.2% of Trinidadians are of East Indian descent, while 35.4% are African, and mixed people account for 22.8% of the population.
The slave owners brought the Africans first, and the Indo-Trinidadians (East Indians) came in the late 18th century following the abolition of slavery. The Indo-Trinidadians worked as laborers, being paid for their work.
Tensions between the Indo-Trinidadians and African Trinidadians began as soon as the East Indians arrived since the latter were willing to work for low pay. They also received credit for supposedly being more ambitious and financially wise with their money.
The East Indians began to look down on black people in Trinidad, and plantation owners doubled down on the divide by creating segregated bathrooms and schools. Indo-Trinidadians and black Trinidadians did not trust each other with the education of their children.
Over time, racial tensions have eased, but not so much. In 2020, an East Indian businesswoman horrifically asserted that the government should put contraceptives in black Trinidadian’s water supply.
Still, the conversation is underway. Race relations as a formal discussion came to the fore in the country in recent years. And Rhoda Reddock, who attended a symposium on the matter, pointed out that due to how both the Africans and East Indians came to the island, “race became the primary means of interpreting life.”
We must hope that the conversation will continue for the sake of the future of Trinidad’s youth.
Birthing Persons: The State of Infant and Maternal Mortality
Trinidad’s hospitals are far better off than many other countries, yet there are losses to consider.
According to UNICEF, the infant mortality ratio stands at 15 per 1,000 births and 92% of women receive postnatal care. Their maternal mortality ratio is 67 deaths per 100,000 births.
In 2018, Trinidad happily reported that there were no direct maternal deaths on the island. It’s unclear if the ensuing years saw the same results.
What Can You Do To Help?
Trinidad might be on many vacation lists, but those looking to make a true difference know that it’s not enough to financially support the island via tourism.
Global Fund For Girls is eager to assist all organizations and independent persons on the ground to alleviate the adversities faced by girls and gender-fluid youth on the island.
We’ve outlined our process for you here.
Your contribution will go a long way in training the required personnel and assisting those who need it most. Reach out to us or donate today.