Against a backdrop of ongoing legal battles over LGBTQIA+ rights in the eastern Caribbean, the leader of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ (SVG) leading queer rights organization has issued a urgent public call for the newly sworn-in national government to roll back colonial-era laws that criminalize private, consensual same-sex relations between adults.
Jeshua Bardoo, founder, president and chief executive of Equal Rights, Access and Opportunities SVG Inc. (ERAO SVG), made the demand in an official press statement marking the fourth consecutive year of the nation’s Pride celebrations, wrapping up the successful 2026 Pride SVG series of community and educational events. As a practicing lawyer, Bardoo framed the policy request as a moral and legal imperative for the new administration led by Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Godwin Friday.
“I continue to call upon the Government of SVG, and in particular, I urge our new Prime Minister and cabinet, to do the right thing and repeal the laws under the Criminal Code that criminalise private adult consensual same-sex relations,” Bardoo said. Beyond decriminalization, he also called for the passage of new, explicit anti-discrimination legislation that would protect LGBTQIA+ Vincentians across key sectors including employment, education, housing, healthcare, and public and private goods and services.
Pride SVG, now in its fourth year, serves as a space for queer people and their allies to build solidarity, push back against systemic violence and discrimination targeting the LGBTQIA+ community, and celebrate queer identity in SVG, Bardoo explained. “While we wait and fight for various forms of social and legal change, we will continue to celebrate, educate, and advocate for our rights,” he added.
The renewed push for legal reform comes amid a pending appeal in a high-profile 2024 case challenging SVG’s existing buggery and gross indecency laws. The challenge was brought by Javin Johnson and Sean Macleish, two gay Vincentian men who currently reside outside of the country. In February 2024, the High Court dismissed the case, ruling that Johnson and Macleish lacked legal standing to bring the claim due to their residency outside SVG. Justice Esco Henry, who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal, also rejected the men’s argument that they were forced to flee SVG because of systemic discrimination based on their sexual orientation. The ruling upheld the government’s longstanding position that the anti-queer laws are “reasonably required for public health and morality,” a position advocates say is outdated and discriminatory.
Bardoo described the 2026 edition of Pride SVG as “amazing,” noting that he was encouraged by the turnout of first-time attendees across the slate of events hosted by ERAO SVG. Funded by a coalition of local, regional, and international donors and sponsors, the 2026 celebration featured five distinct events designed to serve the needs of the local queer community and educate the broader public: three in-person community gatherings, a televised educational panel, and an international webinar focused on Caribbean LGBTQIA+ rights.
The celebration kicked off on June 6 with the “Pride SVG 2026 Launch Party: Colours,” a masquerade-themed gathering that brought queer people and allies together for dancing, food, and celebration. The event included a series of fun competitive categories with cash prizes, including Best Dressed, Best Walk, Most Confident, and the top crown of Winner of the Royal Pride SVG Ball 2026. Per the organization’s press release, the night was defined by joy, connection, and mutual support for the community.
Two weeks later, on June 13, ERAO SVG hosted “Mental Health and Wellness Day: Mental Health, Tote Bag Painting and Pilates,” an event centered on the unique mental health needs of queer Vincentians. The gathering included three interactive segments: an educational session on evidence-based stress management techniques, a group Pilates class for physical activity, and a creative tote bag painting workshop that let attendees express their identity through art. The event filled a key gap in accessible wellness resources for the local LGBTQIA+ community, organizers said.
The final in-person event, held June 20, focused on legal and conceptual education: “Defining, Exploring and Discussing Key Concepts and the Law Surrounding Human Sexuality and Gender in SVG.” Attendees gained access to clear information about existing legal frameworks for gender and sexual minorities in SVG, and took part in open discussion about ongoing gaps in rights protection.
In addition to in-person programming, ERAO SVG reached a broad national audience on June 10 with a televised panel, “Conversation on Sex, Sexuality and Gender in SVG.” During the broadcast, organization members worked to correct widespread misinformation and harmful myths about LGBTQIA+ people that persist in Vincentian society, and introduced the public to core concepts of queer rights. The series concluded on June 25 with a public webinar that delved into the intersection of economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights for LGBTQIA+ people across the Caribbean region.
Looking ahead, Bardoo extended an early invitation to all Vincentians — including cisgender, straight allies — to take part in the 2027 Pride SVG celebrations, highlighting the inclusive mission of the annual event. “I was happy to see new faces attending our various events,” Bardoo said, “and I’m already looking forward to bringing the community back together next year.”