PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A top court in the eastern Caribbean island of Dominica has struck down colonial-era laws criminalizing gay sex.
It’s the latest nation to repeal such laws in the socially conservative region, joining Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda.
Monday’s ruling comes nearly five years after a man whose identity was withheld for his safety challenged Dominica’s laws in 2019, saying they violated his constitutional rights. While the laws stemmed from the British colonial period, they were strengthened in 1998, with punishment of up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.
The man said the laws caused him to “live with great condemnation and fear not only for himself but others who are a part of the LGBT community in Dominica,” according to Human Dignity Trust, a London-based nonprofit.
Hong Kong jails Portuguese national for overseas social media posts — Radio Free Asia
In many African countries, abortions are legal. But information and access can be hard to come by
Psychologists fear rule changes will make it even harder to get help
Crew members injured in crash on set of Eddie Murphy movie 'The Pickup'
Allergy season arrived early in US. Here's why, what you can do
New WIC rules include more money for fruits and veggies. They also expand food choices
Swedish appeals court rules space rock should stay with the owner of the property where it landed
North Carolina legislature reconvenes to address budget, vouchers as big elections approach
Navalny's body returned to mother, spokeswoman says
Beyonce goes hell for leather black fringed pantsuit as she poses on an 18
Cicadas are nature's weirdos, and about to infest 2 parts of the U.S.