Being a Transgender Youth in Trinidad and Tobago: A Socio-Legal Perspective

Andel Andrew

Andel Andrew

UWI-Toronto Metropolitan University RCYP Conference: The Wellbeing of Children and Young People in Central America and the Caribbean

2022

Transgender YouthFamilyLegal ProtectionSocial ProtectionSocietyTrinidad and Tobago

Religion plays a strong influence on the society in Trinidad and Tobago. It impacts the values and morals of society and also parenting. The family is seen as the first agent of socialization and plays a key role in how we perceive the world. Additionally, when there is a breakdown or deficiency in the role of the family, the state in many instances, will step in. However, for persons in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, there exists an absence of laws and policies to protect them especially as a transgender person. As such, this research examines transgender youth, societal impact and the absence of laws and policies in Trinidad and Tobago. Many scholars have posited that transgender persons face discrimination on a wider scale than that of others in LGBT community. As such, it can be argued that transgender youth are far more vulnerable to discrimination and a general lack of understanding especially from their parents/family members. Thus, the objective of this research is to understand what it means to be a transgender youth in Trinidad and Tobago in the absence of laws and social protection. To achieve this the following research questions are explored: Do transgender youth face discrimination in society and from their family? How have transgender youth coped with social discrimination in the absence of laws and social protection in Trinidad and Tobago? What are the demands of transgender youth? Finally, what has been the role of the state in protecting transgender youth in Trinidad and Tobago? This study takes the form of a qualitative methodological research design with the use of semi-structured interviews. These interviews are conducted through the snowballing technique given the sensitive nature of this study. Furthermore, this research finds that transgender youth face constraints both from a social and legal perspective. It contends that while there are laws and policies to protect children and young persons in Trinidad and Tobago, there exists a lack of legal and social protection for transgender youth. In addition there is also a lack of understanding, knowledge and awareness of the issues faced by transgender youth in Trinidad and Tobago. As such, this research attempts to shed light on this issue while exploring avenues to protect transgender youth in Trinidad and Tobago.