By VERDEL BISHOP Friday, May 20 2011

THE COALITION Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO) has issued a call for Government to demonstrate political will in the fight against discrimination towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender people (LGBT).

CAISO, in observance of International Day against Homophobia (IDAHO) staged a peaceful march earlier in the week, joining other countries around the world in a bid to erase the negative impact homophobia and transphobia have on society. Wearing jerseys that draw attention to their issue, a small group of CAISO supporters had set out to visit 16 government ministries, bearing packages which contain steps Government can take to strengthen the promise of equality for all citizens and address the violence, discrimination and social vulnerability caused by homophobia.

Member of CAISO, Colin Robinson said the six steps focusses on leadership equal opportunity, policing homelessness, school safety and building government capacity. Robinson explained: “We are creating visibility; we are having dialogue with people and trying to build awareness in a peaceful manner. IDAHO is a day when people around the world stand up and talk about the impacts of homophobia and how we could end it.

“We have to begin to change attitudes and policies and laws that treat people differently and not punish people because of their sexual oriental or because of how they express their gender,” Robinson said.

“Our march is peaceful. It is not about protesting; we are not angry people. We have come together as people who love and believe in this country and want to make it better,” Robinson said.

Robinson said the exercise created some hostility but overall, people were interested in what they had to say. He noted that when they visited the new Minister of Planning, Economic, Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs, Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie, he commended them on the stance they were taking.

“We have chosen to observe IDAHO for the first time this year, by walking through the streets of downtown Port-of-Spain to deliver packages to the offices of 16 Government Ministers.