In a historic decision, the High Court of Saint Lucia has struck down colonial-era laws that criminalized consensual same-sex relationships. The court ruled that sections 132 and 133 of the Criminal Code, which punished “buggery” and “gross indecency” with penalties of up to 10 years in prison, violated constitutional rights to privacy, equality, and human dignity (LGBTQ Nation).
While these laws were rarely enforced, their existence fostered stigma and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. Legal advocates hailed the ruling as a critical step toward justice, emphasizing that decriminalization is essential for the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ people in Saint Lucia (Human Rights Watch).
The decision has been celebrated by local and international organizations, including the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) and the Human Dignity Trust. Kenita Placide, executive director of ECADE, stated that the ruling “signals that our Caribbean can and must be a place where all people are free and equal under the law” (OutRight International).
This ruling aligns Saint Lucia with other Caribbean nations that have repealed similar colonial-era laws, including Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Dominica. However, several countries in the region, such as Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago, still criminalize same-sex relations, highlighting the ongoing need for legal and societal reform (Scene Mag, Washington Blade).
Legal experts note that while decriminalization is a vital first step, broader societal acceptance is necessary to ensure the LGBTQ+ community can live free from discrimination. The Saint Lucia ruling represents a milestone in the fight for equality in the Caribbean and may inspire further legal reforms across the region (LGBTQ Nation).
By dismantling these outdated laws, Saint Lucia not only affirms the constitutional rights of LGBTQ+ citizens but also strengthens its commitment to human rights, setting a precedent for neighboring nations to follow.