“Sacred ti makomè! (“dirty queer”!) Arthur* still remembers this insult which haunted him for years, during his adolescence in Guadeloupe. When she was not shouted at him in the street to denigrate his “effeminate side”, the young boy who did not yet know himself to be gay at the time heard it at school, in songs or even at the carnival. An example of the trivialization of homophobic language in the West Indies.
Ten years after the promulgation of marriage for all, “mentalities have evolved, but I do not show myself with my spouse when I ” come to the péyi ” [rentrer sur son territoire] on vacation,” admits Arthur. “The West Indies did not stand out for their open-mindedness when the law was voted on,” recalls Caroline Musquet, ex-journalist and author of the book. Being homosexual in the West Indies. During the debates, several overseas elected officials showed their hostility to the text carried by Christiane Taubira, in the National Assembly. “We saw elected officials of the Republic parade with their scarves alongside the Manif pour tous in Fort-de-France [Martinique] “, recalls Brice Armien-Boudré, co-president of Kap Caraïbe, an association fighting against LGBTphobia in Martinique.
“Legitimacy has changed sides”
“Ten years ago online comments on LGBT+ topics were 99% hateful. Today, 80% to 90% support the cause,” says Brice Armien-Boudré. “Before, people allowed themselves to say that homosexuals did not exist, the adoption of the law allowed legitimacy to change sides. Today, it is legitimate to fight against homophobic and transphobic discourse,” greets the sociologist.
But if communication has evolved, mentalities and convictions still have a tough skin. The latest report on the fight against anti-LGBT discrimination in Overseas France, dating from 2018, demonstrates “anti-LGBT hatred and latent rejection”, more marked than in France. Indeed, “69.4% of men and 59% of women living in the West Indies and Guyana have a negative opinion of homosexuality, associating it either with a form of ‘unnatural’ sexuality, or with a form of ”psychological disorder””, reveals the report.
But why such rejection? “Homophobia has its roots in colonization” in connection with evangelization movements, explains sociologist Nadia Chonville. Homosexuality and transidentity are perceived as notions imposed on overseas populations by “Western civilization” and not related to the sexuality of these territories. “There is always resistance in families and in the religious context with arguments such as the fact that it is ”against the will of God””, observes the doctor in sociology. In the West Indies, religion occupies a significant place. Few religious leaders speak with tolerance on LGBT+ issues, despite the number of gay and transgender believers who find themselves torn in their faith.
A long work of deconstruction
Educate more to deconstruct as soon as possible. This is the credo advocated by associations, researchers and those concerned. In Martinique, an agreement was signed with the rectorate to raise awareness among National Education staff. “But the mountain gave birth to a mouse”, laments Nadia Chonville who points to a lack of means and priority. “We have had cases of nurses or teachers who have denounced the homosexuality of their children to parents”, reveals, for his part, Brice Armien-Boudré of Kap Caraïbe. The association has also been confronted with cases of exorcism sessions.
The Martinican collective intervenes in a few schools, institutions (prefecture, judicial police), companies as well as with other associations. “The younger generation is more receptive to issues of sexual orientation. They talk to us about pansexuality and say they don’t want to put pressure on themselves ”to fit into the mold”, indicates its manager Brice Armien-Bourdré. “Young people are less afraid of exposing themselves, but just because they’re more comfortable with their identity and in their environment doesn’t mean you don’t have one at risk of being kicked out of their homes because they are homosexual, victims of abuse or completely rejected by their friends of the same age”, nuance Nadia Chonville.
Listening lines, application to identify places of safety, conferences on transidentity, documentaries… For those who remain in the territories, associations play an essential role. They vigorously ensure the implementation of the rights of LGBT+ people. “It’s a fight that requires vigilance and permanent action, because if we stop working on this subject, the legitimacy of homophobia will be much stronger,” said Nadia Chonville. From now on, Kap Caraïbe will file a complaint each time homophobic acts are reported in the Caribbean public sphere. Brice Armien-Bourdré, its co-president, was himself the victim of an attempted homicide which cost him his left eye and is awaiting the trial of his attacker.
Local commitment
With one employee, two people in civic service and around fifteen volunteers, Kap Caraïbe is regularly on a tightrope. “We are late compared to France, the public authorities must provide the financial and human resources, because we are heading towards burnout and danger. We are not going to last two more years, ”sighs Brice Armien-Boudré. Same observation in Guadeloupe where there are only two structures, Amalgame Humanis and My LGBT difference. All the players we interviewed also deplore the absence of local subsidies.
Ten years after the parliamentary debates, few elected officials have publicly supported the LGBT cause. In Martinique, the mayor of Carbet has hosted the only Pride March in the Caribbean since 2017 and Senator Catherine Conconne has shown her support for the fight against homophobia. After his remarks in 2012 qualifying homosexuality as an “abomination”, Guadeloupe MP Olivier Serva apologized and co-signed a column entitled “We, overseas parliamentarians, reject homophobia! ». This lack of local commitment undermines the “legitimacy” of LGBT+ rights in the territories. “The West Indians think that all initiatives come from Paris. “Legitimacy” must be regionalized to create an impact,” argues sociologist Nadia Chonville.
A lack of representation
The road is still long, but the word is on the move. And science too. “Martinique is one of the regions that best supports gender transition. We have more and more requests for support and all the required professionals are present on the island”, praises Brice Armien-Bourdré. Upon the publication of her book, Caroline Musquet received positive feedback and thanks for having given and supported the voice of Caribbean LGBT+ people.
His only regret? Lack of representation in the Caribbean community. “With us, there is no position, it’s a shame because the personalities have this power. It would make it possible to change the image and make Caribbean homosexuals visible, ”she argues. “We are still having trouble mobilizing Martiniquans. Many are those who still prefer to remain hidden, ”abounds in this sense Brice Armien-Bourdré. “Many preferred to leave Guadeloupe and Martinique. On an island, difference is poorly accepted and it’s very, very suffocating. It’s easier to live your homosexuality in a big city, there are more choices, more anonymity, even if the risk is present everywhere, ” noted Caroline Musquet over her exchanges.
In Martinique, 41 same-sex marriages were celebrated between 2013 and 2021, according to INSEE. And in Guadeloupe, 44 lesbian or gay couples said yes. That is less than ten marriages per year recorded in the West Indies.