Protecting the fabric of society? Heterosexual views on the usefulness of the anti-gay laws in Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

This study evaluated the extent to which people living in Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago believe that the anti-gay laws currently in place: (1) reflect moral standards; (2) stop the spread of homosexuality; (3) are important from a public health perspective; and (4) protect young people from abuse. Analysis reveals that demographics, religion, interpersonal contact and beliefs about the origin of homosexuality all influenced an individual’s views on the usefulness of the anti-gay laws in these states, but the significance of their impacts varied substantially across the arguments.

Religion, Contact, and Ambivalent Attitudes Toward the Rights of Gays and Lesbians in Barbados

“…However, this alone may not be enough to engender change. Recent work by Jackman (2017) revealed that many residents believe that the current laws are a reasonable expression of Barbados' moral standards (57%), important from a health perspective (55%) and protect young persons from abuse (39%). It is possible that ill-founded fears about what law reform could lead to (e.g.…”

“…The laws of Barbados are often classified as part of the dark legacy of British imperialism (Jackman, 2016(Jackman, , 2017. In 1553, Britain criminalised the act of "buggery" (that is, anal sex) under the 1553 Buggery Act 1 .…”