Eastern Caribbean Court Decriminalizes Gay Sex in Saint Lucia

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling striking down colonial-era laws in Saint Lucia that criminalized gay sexual relations, including provisions on 'buggery' and 'gross indecency,' which carried prison terms of up to ten years. The court found these laws unconstitutional, violating rights to privacy, liberty, human dignity, and protection against discrimination. LGBTQ rights activists and groups such as ECADE, CariFLAGS, and 758Pride hailed the decision as a pivotal victory for human dignity and equality, though they emphasized the need for further reforms to protect the community from discrimination and threats. While Saint Lucian political leaders, including Prime Minister Philip Pierre, remained mostly silent, regional groups like Guyana Together expressed solidarity with the ruling. The judgment is part of a broader regional movement challenging similar colonial-era laws in other Caribbean countries, including a recent legal case filed in Dominica, where such laws continue to fuel violence and discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. The decision marks a significant step toward dismantling institutional biases rooted in colonial statutes across the Caribbean, despite some opposition grounded in religious beliefs.