Senator Lawrence Joseph says the ‘day is fast approaching’ for Grenada and other Caribbean nations to lift colonial-era sodomy laws
Grenada’s Senate president says the island should reconsider its laws prohibiting gay sex.
The Associated Press (AP) reports Senator Lawrence Joseph said ‘the day is fast approaching’ for Grenada and other Caribbean conservative countries to amend their anti-sodomy laws to ‘fall in line with the mainstream’.
He also states it is reasonable to question why sex between two men should be outlawed in Grenada.
Joseph, who presides over the 13 person senate, writes that acceptance of gays is becoming a modern-day trend.
He states bigger, wealthier nations could impose sanctions on Grenada and withhold aid as a consequence of the island maintaining local anti-sodomy laws.
The statements come from a commentary piece he did for the local newspapers, to be published on 31 May, but an advance copy was sent to AP in advance
Currently anal sex is illegal in Grenada, whether it is between two men or a man and a woman, under section 435 of the country’s criminal code. But it cannot be committed by two women.
Such offenses are punishable by imprisonment for 10 years.
While it is an independent nation, Grenada still maintains close ties to the United Kingdom. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth is titular head of state and the UK’s Privy Council, in London, acts as the country’s highest court of appeal.
by Omar Kuddus
Source – Gay Star News
