WILLEMSTAD - May 17, marks the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia celebrated worldwide. According to Human Rights Caribbean, progress has been made in protecting the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community, but there is still a long road ahead. Even in 2024, not everyone on Curaçao enjoys the same human rights. The fight for equality has been ongoing for over 50 years, the organization asserts. Janice Tjon Sien Kie, the chairperson of Human Rights Caribbean, particularly highlights the harmful rhetoric about the LGBTIQ+ community by politicians on our island as 'unheard of.'
Human Rights Caribbean, along with a lesbian couple, has filed a lawsuit against the government of Curaçao. According to the organization, there is discrimination based on sexual orientation. Therefore, the organization believes that the option to marry should also be available for same-sex couples. The Supreme Court will make its ruling on this matter on June 12, rather than at the end of May as initially stated.