New LGBT+ group aims to increase support

| 09/09/2020 | 31 Comments
Cayman News Service
Noel Cayasso-Smith (right) with Governor Martyn Roper

(CNS): A new non-profit organisation has been created to help build services for members of the LGBT+ community, increase inclusivity, raise awareness and improve sexual and mental health services. The Cayman LGBTQ Foundation hopes to join Colours Cayman, the first LGBT group in the Cayman Islands, to support the needs of the community at a time when it is under attack but also at a historic moment with the passage of the Civil Partnership Law.

The group hopes to break down stigma and discrimination against the LGBTQ community and extend an olive branch to those who had opposed the law. The foundation has welcomed the new legislation, which it believes can open the door for raising awareness and building bridges in the wider community.

“Our hope is that we move forward in unity and harmony, and work together to build a stronger, more united Cayman Islands,” said Noel Cayasso-Smith, the president and founder of the new charity.

Describing the law as monumental, Cayasso-Smith said it put the foundation in a position to start spreading general knowledge and understanding of its goals.

“The new law may not be perfect, but we understand how difficult it was to achieve this justice. It would be of a significant benefit to the general public to have the details of the new bill broken down and explained to mitigate the swell of confusion that surrounds it,” he said. “Going forward from this point… we seek to build bridges between our LGBTQ community and society at large.”

Despite some threats being directed against the event, the Cayman LGBTQ Foundation is holding a fundraiser on 26 September to raise money to help it provide essential services to the community, such as counselling for young people struggling with issues of sexual orientation and advice about safe-sex and healthy relationships.

The fundraiser is not exclusively for the LGBT+ community but for everyone who wants to support it. “The event will provide us the opportunity to share our plans to achieve equality, promote visibility, and improve the sexual and mental health prospects of the LGBTQ community in the Cayman Islands,” Cayasso-Smith said.

“It is open to everyone, gay or straight. There is no shame in being an ally to the cause,” he said. “Partners… will play a critical role in the success of this great initiative. This will set the tone for future years to establish an inclusive and healthy community for everyone to exist in without fear.”

Starting from scratch, the charity needs money for office space, information material, safe-sex packs, training opportunities, safe spaces and general overhead costs.

For more details of the fundraiser or how to sponsor the event, contact King Navassa at info@clgbtqf.com or call Noel Cayasso-Smith 946-3029.


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Comments (31)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Where do I sign up?
    Asking for a friend.

  2. Anonymous says:

    By the way, if you are wondering what the + stands for, here it is: https://ok2bme.ca/resources/kids-teens/what-does-lgbtq-mean/

    Note kids and teens.

    https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/state-senator-defends-controversial-bill/103-f911e344-503d-4e45-8d70-c745cad03c80

    CNS: I replaced your second link with the actual story rather than the homophobic nonsense.

    • Anonymous says:

      CNS, you have abandoned all claim to impartiality on this issue. XXXX

      CNS: We are not impartial about discrimination of any kind, nor should we be. And that is not going to change.

      • Anonymous says:

        CNS is actually completely right. Somehow a bly can be given for vaginal sex but not anal or oral? That’s like allowing tobacco to be smoked but disallowing weed because smoking is harmful.

        “A 19-year-old has a 17-year-old girlfriend and they have sex, that is statutory rape. But the law right now says that the judge does not have to put that 19-year-old boy on the sex offender registry because of the kind of sex that they were having,” Wiener said. “But if it’s a 19-year-old boy having sex with a 17-year-old boyfriend, the judge must put that 19-year-old onto the sex offender registry, even if it was completely consensual, even if they were boyfriends, even if there was nothing coercive or predatory about it.”

      • Anonymous says:

        A few weeks back you published a post of someone asking when they can make locals slaves again. No published it and made no commentary of it. The bia is clear.

        CNS: Don’t be silly. That was obviously hyperbole or sarcasm to make the point that if a law is discriminatory it should be changed, not a serious suggestion.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well cone CNS

  3. Anonymous says:

    No such thing as “your” truth.
    Truth is truth. Just ask scientists and mathematicians.
    Truth does not equal opinion.

    • Anonymous says:

      Living ones truth means living as their true selves instead of having to hide for fear of how society will treat them. It’s about being true to ones sexuality, instead of leaving in fear of bigoted opinions.

  4. Truma says:

    Open the doors for what we see all over the world. A never ending list of demands and bullying by people begging and pleading tolerance. Cayman screen shot this message! It has begun! And the majority let the minority do it! I only wish we would fight for our rights as the LGBTQ+ community do. Caymanians are a very weak people – the LGBTQ did not build what you know as cayman today just remember that

    • Anonymous says:

      And you know everyone that’s gay how? A feeling?

    • Gay Caymanian says:

      So you actually think there were no gay Caymanians who played important roles in developing Cayman? There were! And there are many gay Caymanians in highly responsible and leadership roles now, who are making a big difference in the lives of people here.

  5. The Cayman LGBTQ Foundation will be sending a press release regarding our event tomorrow. Thanks to all for the support.

  6. Anonymous says:

    I am so tired of people running around with a mouthful of scripture and a heart full of hate. Get over yourselves and let people be. You have one life and the right to live your truth. Stop being so backward.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Please someone explain how to register the civil union when the time comes, what paperwork is required,how to start the process etc. Thank you.

    • Paul says:

      30 day waiting period. Any two adults can register their civil partnership from October 4 and has the exact same obligations, benefits, responsibilities and rights of marriage (without calling it a marriage). Listed under the Civil Partnership Law, 2020 – assented September 4. 📚📘📗📒

      • Anonymous says:

        Beautiful, thank you so much. Hope someone releases all the requirements to apply too.

      • Anonymous says:

        Thank you. What if you are already married in another country? Are you able to confirm what to do (obviously you cannot get a Civil partnership if you are already married).

        • Anonymous says:

          This is why we need someone to explain clearly what to do in different cases and how to start the process.

          CNS: I imagine that it will be explained once it’s worked out. If not, we’ll ask questions.

          • Anonymous says:

            Thank you, CNS.

            • Anonymous says:

              Could someone say which hospital is set up for delivery services for them?

              • Anonymous says:

                Don’t be ridiculous.
                What is wrong with people is that they think all marriages should produce a child.
                There are many straight couples that don’t have children, and are happily married.
                Remember also that there are millions of kids waiting to be adopted, and guess what, straight couples are the parents who abandoned them. If a gay couple want children, they certainly can adopt and give them a life they deserve full of love and care.
                The Civil Partnership is not only for the LGBT community, but to any couple that has created a life together through love and companionship. Equality for all!

                • Anonymous says:

                  Wonder what kind of love and care gays can give adopted kids XXXX

                  CNS:
                  Exactly the same love and care as heterosexual parents.

              • Anonymous says:

                Any hospital maternity ward for lesbian babies. All works the same on delivery-end.

        • Anonymous says:

          So none of you read the Bill you are ranting on here to be passed into law? All the answers are there in black and white. No you cant get a CP if you are married. No it doesnt give you all the same obligations and rights of marriage. I really dont understand supporting any legislation without even knowing what it says.

          • Anonymous says:

            I did read it twice. Yet there should be a clear explanation to people where is what and how the process is initiated. And when. Having the law published doesn’t give all the details required for all of us who decide to enter civil union. That is all.

  8. Anonymous says:

    You might have typo’d their email address

    CNS: Thanks. I’ve corrected it now.

  9. Anonymous says:

    I highly doubt that anyone will do anything disrupt the event. The people that don’t support the LGBTQ+ cause will simply stay as far away from the event as possible. In fact, if you speak with people that are not supportive of the LGBTQ+ cause you will typically find people that themselves are fearful because of some of the speech and actions from LGBTQ+ individuals and their supporters in government and the wider community.

    • Anonymous says:

      “I highly doubt that anyone will do anything disrupt the event.”

      Where were you when Julianna recommended that the first gay marriage in Cayman be crashed by the religious zealots?
      Quite sure CNS did an article on it.

      • Anonymous says:

        Ah yes JuJu. The person who allegedly (lol) had shipped to Cayman Brac government equipment to pave the driveways of constituents in the run up to a general election. The equipment has never been returned and lies rusting on roadsides in Cayman Island, a bit like the ladies moral compass!

  10. Heterosexual LGBTQ supporter says:

    Sign me up!

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