Date of Award

Spring 5-31-2025

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Global Governance and Human Security

First Advisor

Dr. Eben Weitzman

Abstract

Laws criminalizing LGBTQ sexuality have been entrenched in Anglophone Caribbean states since the 1600s, persisting through colonial rule and independence via savings law clauses that shield them from legal challenges. This study examines these laws in Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago (T&T), exploring how colonial legacies inherited from Britain continue to shape contemporary legal, political, and social attitudes toward LGBTQ communities. The project introduces the reader to Queeribean feminism, a lens that incorporates Queer, Black, Caribbean, intersectional, and postcolonial feminism. Subsequently, the research reframes theorizing about the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and human security frameworks in the Caribbean region.

The study investigates why some Anglophone Caribbean nations have moved toward decriminalization while others maintain anti-LGBTQ laws. A secondary inquiry examines why postcolonial states like Jamaica and T&T have retained colonial-era legislation despite Britain’s repeal. The research draws on archival materials, media, legislative debates, and constitutional documents using a paired comparative case study approach. It also incorporates interviews with advocacy groups, government officials, religious figures, and legal experts, alongside focus groups and participant observations.

Through critical discourse, content, and document analysis, the study identifies factors hindering decriminalization, particularly human security concerns, gendered power dynamics, and morally exclusive language embedded in legal and social institutions. These structures marginalize LGBTQ citizens, undermining their human security and reinforcing systemic exclusion that fosters a culture of Tan Ova Deh Suh (Stay Over There).

By reconceptualizing critical feminist theories, the study highlights how LGBTQ criminalization operates in postcolonial societies through the lens of Queeribean Feminism. Findings reveal the intersection of heteronormativity, hegemonic patriarchy, and colonial legacy in shaping exclusionary policies. Additionally, the resilience of LGBTQ activists navigating legal barriers provides insight into grassroots efforts for rights recognition. Ultimately, the research provided a deeper understanding of the factors influencing both the persistence and dismantling of anti-LGBTQ laws in the Anglophone Caribbean.

Comments

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