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Episode 3

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Published on:

8th Sep 2024

Breaking Barriers: Jason Jones and the Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights

Jason Jones, a gay rights activist, shares his experiences growing up in Trinidad and Tobago and his journey towards fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. He discusses the influence of his parents, who were journalists, and the impact of the black liberation movement on his activism. Jason also explains the history of anti-gay legislation in Trinidad and Tobago and how he challenged and successfully removed the buggery laws.

He highlights the role of religion in driving homophobia and the need for people to seek out their own history and learn from the struggles of those who fought for equality before them. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the ongoing appeal process and the potential impact on LGBTQ+ rights in the region.

Jason discusses the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and the challenges faced in achieving acceptance and equality. He highlights the importance of decolonization and internal change in the fight for human rights. Jones emphasizes the need for intersectional activism and the inclusion of all marginalized groups. He also criticizes the role of religion in perpetuating discrimination and calls for a shift in societal attitudes and acceptance of diverse identities. Jones shares his future goals, including taking his case to the Privy Council to decriminalize same-sex relationships in multiple countries and advocating for anti-discriminatory laws.

takeaways

  • The history of black liberation in Trinidad and Tobago influenced Jason Jones' activism for LGBTQ+ rights.
  • Anti-gay legislation in Trinidad and Tobago was inherited from British colonial laws and remained in place even after independence.
  • Religion plays a significant role in driving homophobia and transphobia globally.
  • Challenging discriminatory laws requires legal expertise and strategic arguments.
  • The ongoing appeal process for the decriminalization of same-sex intimacy in Trinidad and Tobago highlights the neocolonial influence of the Privy Council. The fight for LGBTQ+ rights is ongoing and requires continuous effort and activism.
  • Decolonization and internal change are crucial in the fight for human rights.
  • Intersectional activism is necessary to address the interconnected issues of discrimination and inequality.
  • Religion can perpetuate discrimination and hinder progress towards acceptance and equality.
  • Societal attitudes and acceptance of diverse identities need to shift to create a more inclusive world.
  • Advocacy for anti-discriminatory laws is essential to protect the rights of marginalized groups.
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About the Podcast

Diversity Matters
The show where every voice is welcome, and every story is celebrated.
In this podcast series, Mike moves away from the traditional DE&I rhetoric, to get a better understanding of what diversity, equity and inclusion actually means for us as individuals. Are we seeing real change? Do you feel a greater sense of belonging in your workplace and community? Each week Mike and his guest open an honest dialogue on a specific DE&I topic, some discussions will be inspirational, others might be a little uncomfortable but hopefully all will be interesting and thought provoking.

About your host

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Mike Sealy

Mike is currently the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director with a world leading exhibition and event organiser, he leads, coordinates, and champions the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging efforts across the business to ensure the long-term sustainability of the D&I strategy in relation to the company’s colleagues, customers, content and communities.
Through his own lived experiences, he is deeply passionate about fairness, equity, and inclusion for all. He is a dedicated coach, mentor, motivator, and podcaster who regularly speaks at events and on discussion panels both to corporate colleagues and students in education. He speaks candidly on his work and social experiences to create awareness of the issues and opportunities within diversity and inclusion as well as to help build confidence, freedom, and motivation in others.
Mike is British with Afro-Caribbean heritage. He is thought leader with a strong client centric and customer experience mindset and has demonstrable experience of leading teams across complex international matrixed organizations possessing a strong track record of delivering results. He has held senior leadership positions at Hewlett Packard, Microsoft and the BBC, leading and setting up businesses and organizations and has won awards for management and execution excellence in the process.