Out Of Paradise

Trinidad & Tobago's Fail : Human Rights

2012-05-13T21:47:00.001-04:00

Advocacy

A OOP Special Report: Letting Our Voices Be Heard!

On Friday the 11th of May 2012, representatives from various groups in support of the human rights advocacy campaign 'ADD ALL THREE' gathered in a walk to present briefs, first to the EOA (Equal Opportunities Act) offices and then to arriving ministers of the convening sitting of Parliament.

The day's walk was also in commemoration of the second annual walk to publicly mark IDAHO (Day Against Homophobia). Although May 17th is the official day of celebration.

Season 2 - Happy Boys Bar!

2012-04-03T22:44:00.001-04:00

Welcome everyone to the second season of OOP. This season Tee and I plan on bringing you interviews from interesting people that create, own or specialize in services that boost exemplary service in entertainment.
Showcase sites and places that you can only find with the help of a Trinidadian and lastly festivals in a more homely atmosphere.

The first show for the new season showcases a simple bar that goes beyond the promise of entertainment. It appears from the outside to be what Trinidadians call 'rum shop'. To understand the title, think of a stark neighbourhood bar with no frills, selling alcohol and beers, almost 24hrs a day, everyday of the year with maybe a television and radio for comfort.

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Trini Carnival 2012 (Part 2) - Tuesday

2012-04-03T21:38:00.000-04:00

I know this particular post is very late and I apologise but this is Part 2 to my Carnival vlog posted last month.

It is said to be called the greatest show on earth. The energy, the colour, superb wire bending and costume designing that goes into the spectacle that is Trinidad Carnival. The build up of fetes, Calypso tents, moulding of bodies in any number of gyms, shopping around for last minute accessories all cultivates on Carnival Tuesday.

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Trini Carnival 2012 (Part 1) - J'ouvert

2012-03-03T08:09:00.001-04:00

Finally I bring you a taste of Carnival through the eyes of the gay scene in Trinidad. Carnival as I have said before is our national pastime and one of our greatest festivals.

Although the mas and revelry only last two days on the streets, it takes almost a year to prepare for. The season takes places between February and March of every year, always the week of Ash Wednesday.

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After a Lime

2012-01-25T02:40:00.001-04:00

As shown above Club Bohemia is the place to be on Carnival Sunday! Both myself and Tee will be present and we will be bringing you all the sites and sounds that Carnival has to offer from the perspective of the LGBTQ fetes and pre-limes (parties).
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Carnival is in the Air

2012-01-13T17:03:00.000-04:00

Its Carnival time again from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago and much different from last year I will be bringing you full live coverage from several locations of the number one festival of my country.

I will walk you through a steelband pan yard for the first time so you can see what goes on behind the scenes. The same will go for the Mas bands and all the colorful competitions that are spread over the very short and intense season.

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Christmas Was Here!

2011-12-30T06:39:00.002-04:00

So I'm back. So sorry I haven't been with you for such a long period but below I will tell you all about it. Christmas has come and gone and now we in Trinidad and Tobago will jump right into the Carnival season, which if you recall from earlier this year, my coverage wasn't as extensive as I had hoped so in the coming 2012 season I will be bringing a lot more of our greatest festival.
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Out Of Paradise Ep. 47 - SOE Exposed!

2011-11-03T07:48:00.000-04:00

The curfew imposed in Trinidad and Tobago by the current government continues to enforce nothing but new avenues of crime by criminals and affecting the already strained purse strings of the country to its absolute limits.

A petition by the collective business associations and the general public is right now being circulated to end the curfew. The question of whether the powers that be will actually heed our cries is another matter all together.

The arrest of curfew breakers continue to be the main focus of the many patrols of the joint forces of the police and army at this point. I guess the only bright spot is that the one honest and uncorrupted government figure in this country seems to be attacking head-on the criminal elements from within the police force. Only time will tell if her efforts will truly bare fruit.

used via townhall.com

With these pressing developments the issues of the LGBTQi community have been placed squarely on the back burner again. However for the very first time I am seeing a difference in the attitude from the community.

They are starting to stand up for their rights and actually, slowly, poke their heads out of the closet and are em-massing to collectively show their presence in meetings and voicing their utter intolerance for the behaviour of society and the government that continues to deny us the basic human right to live how we see fit and love whom we wish to love.

In my video I talk more about these issues and others that have occurred in the past two weeks. so enjoy, follow and comment.

Till next time, luv yah!

Unity. Visability. Rights.

2011-10-21T02:42:00.002-04:00

Taken by Tee at City Hall, POS, Trinidad

So it's another week, another episode of OOP. I know my show's episodes have been slow in coming these past few months but it's been a slow summer. The good news is that christmas is fast approaching and soon we will have much to talk about. The added bonus I can tell you is this year I am mobile, which means you get to see with more than cooking videos and photos what a Trini Xmas is all about.

However, this week's show is about a meeting I went too with PNT Tv's founder Tee. The event was hosted by the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) at our capital Port-of-Spain's City Hall.

The meeting seemed to have been called to explain the rules and guidelines one should follow to apply to the commission to get recommendations from them to maybe get help to you. Unfortunately, the LGBTQ community has no footing in these matters because we weren't included in the law. In fact it is still unlawful for a homosexual woman or man to engage in sexual relations. Isn't that just priceless.

Now here's the tickler, the law was passed in 2000 but didn't get funding until 2008. Then had to wait two more years to get a commission/board then another year, this year to be staffed. Judging from that it wasn't a great surrprise when we were told that the commission really didn't have the authority to really do anything at all except make recommendations to a tribunal and the goverment minister on the matter.

Please watch what I have to say on the subject matter and lets hope we get even further in the next meeting. Lastly I want to thank all my fellow brave gay persons of Trinidad & Tobago for showing up, for participating and verbally fighting for your rights, a human's rights.

Till next time! Luv Ya, Bless!

Accidents Will Happen...

2011-09-12T20:03:00.000-04:00

This week's instalment of Out Of Paradise has to do with life and how precious each moment spent of your life with loved ones and most importantly yourself.
People always say don't lie to your friends and family. Be honest and true. Good. All that counts, but never forget to stay true to yourself and be always honest and real with yourself.

Till next week! Luv ya, bless!

SOE Extended, Paradise What Paradise!

2011-08-30T18:27:00.000-04:00

This week they did as we all suspected. The Prime Minister of my country announced that during the commencement of Parliament, that they will extend the period of the State of Emergency.

I believe that they (the government) are oblivious to the crisis they have placed our island under. As I post this update, our independence day is tomorrow but I will equivocally state that for the first time in my life I do not feel independent.

Update: Curfew!

2011-08-23T09:33:00.000-04:00

Hey guys! So it's been a very eventful week and not in a good way. All will be explained in my vlog but just wanted to add that Tee and I are safe. And as I always say you be safe and I love y'all. Till next week, bless!

Fun in the Caribbean Sun

2011-08-13T06:29:00.004-04:00

I felt I haven't touched base in a while and so this was just a quick hello and small updates as to what I have been up to. However, very soon there will be a lot more on stream so until then my darlings...don't forget to look up all that my wife, Tee has prepared for all of you on PNT Tv and all the others blogs that represent us.

Till next, bless! Love y'll

United Nations, Movado and a Procession.

2011-07-28T22:22:00.002-04:00

This week SW bring some news, calls for governmental intervention and an emancipation procession. (Too much pixelation). Enjoy and see you next week, Bless!

Chocolate, Pride and a Cool Scene!

2011-07-08T23:47:00.002-04:00

So I must apologize for my no-show last week but I'm the best technically and Tee didn't have all that amount if time to go throw every last thing.

I hope you like what you see, the design was put together by Tee but I used one of the templates from Blogger.com.

This week, although in Trinidad we are still in the thick of Pride I am being very mellow. So enjoy my jabber, commentary, whatever you what to call it and tell me what you did for your pride. How did you celebrate it in your country? Send photos, stories or video. I would love to see what you all got up too and the best of the lot will be featured on PNT Tv's video blog, LINAB.

So I'll see you guys next week. Love y'all, bless!!!

2011 LGBTQ Pride Celebrations: The Forgotten

2011-06-26T16:45:00.002-04:00

How Pride Parade Celebrations Began!

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LGBTQ Activism? In Trinidad or Not?

2011-06-21T10:49:00.004-04:00

Another week goes by and as I always do, I give it to you like it really is from the tropics. Even though we (and in 'we' I refer to my fellow citizens) give no help towards our own activism unless there is alcohol and or a party is involved. CAISO (Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation) remains the lone stand-out of any LGBTQ group in T & T. Among the individuals in the community there are few who stand up to be counted. One of them is Cyrus Sylvester (Bohemia).

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Vlog Series: Episode #37: I'm Back with News of PNT Tv

2011-06-06T21:28:00.002-04:00

This week on OOP brings major changes to the dynamic which is PNT Tv. Tee decided to have all the team-members of PNT own and operate their own blogs, as this would be easier for the viewers and followers of each of our original shows.

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New Look Of Out Of Paradise

2011-06-05T13:41:00.001-04:00

So this is a short notice for all of you that are surprised to see your click has taken you to this blog, but have no fear, you're still on PNT Tv. The difference is that you out there have made us so welcomed that we have decided as a team to have individual blogs for the feature shows of PNT Tv, mine being OOP.

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