Barbados’ laws need to be amended to allow transgender people to change their names and gender, says a leading activist.
This is the contention of Raven Gill, co-director of Equals and founder of Butterfly, who believes that once this is done the level of harassment against them with be reduced.
Equals is an organisation for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender queer, intersex (LGBTQI+) community that helps members access numerous services, while Butterfly is its subgroup, which focuses on the rights of transgender people.
“You can change your entire name at the Supreme Court from John Black to Jessica Jones on your birth certificate and all other legal documents and identification . . . . but subsequently you will not be given the recognition of your gender identity, which is pivotal for many reasons: gender-based violence, job security, discrimination in the workplace, insurance and comprehensive healthcare coverage, personal safety and wellness,” said Gill.
These comments came yesterday at United Nations House, Hastings, Christ Church on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia And Biphobia (IDAHOT).
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