“Rather than point fingers at media houses or individuals, MATT has taken the decision to focus on increasing sensitivity and awareness in coverage of LGBT issues in the media.” The following media statement on LGBTQI sensitivity training for journalists was issued by the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT): …
Read More »Dear Editor: Secrets, Smith, and State resources; why D/Martin Central MP’s belated defence is shameless
“Yet now, after he is fired and humiliated, he can’t wait to talk to a non-legal, non-binding committee, who he is confident will vindicate him? “Let us be clear: no committee can vindicate Smith at this stage. That opportunity has already been forfeited and he should be ashamed for trying …
Read More »“I was feeling very uncomfortable!” The sexual harassment claims that Smith wanted hidden behind NDA
Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith’s unwanted advances to former personal staff member, Carrie-Ann Moreau, were at the heart of the latter’s trade dispute with the Ministry, which led to a TT$150,000 pay off with taxpayers’ money. Moreau’s witness statement—published below without accompanying What’s App messages—claimed that she …
Read More »Fixin T&T: Rowley must remove Darryl pending investigation of sexual harassment claims
“On the heels of the disappointing hands-off approach taken in the matter of the sexual harassment allegations levelled against Government-appointed Angostura Chairman Dr Rolph Balgobin, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and Minister Stuart Young have sought to robustly though ill-advisedly justify the alleged use of public funds to settle a matter …
Read More »Same-sex “soul” brothers (and sisters); gay/lesbian interactions in Africa and the Diaspora
The issue of homosexuality and same-sex relationships as it pertains to people of African and Indian descent is an extremely divisive one. As I pointed out in my preceding article, regarding African people, it is as deeply contentious in Africa as it is here in the Americas. Some of that …
Read More »Baldeosingh: T&T’s gender pay gap is situated on “a farrago of fake facts”
“The average male wage in 2008 (the last Labour Force Report) was TT$4,640 a month and the female was TT$3,758. Among male officials and managers, the mean salary was just over TT$8,000 a month, while women earned TT$5,000. Among male professionals, the mean monthly salary was over TT$11,500 whereas for …
Read More »Dear Editor: Requiem for my murdered sisters on International Women’s Day
“[…] I have no good wishes or aspirational sentiments. I’m not checking milestones women have achieved or the records we have smashed… I am preoccupied by our extinction at the hands of our men—our husbands, partners, baby fathers, lovers. “Who can celebrate on Women’s Day when there is so much …
Read More »Not Condemning: Time to lay down the law; Rowley’s men diddle while women get burned
Next week Thursday, a week from today on 8 March, the world will celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). Between now and then here in Trinidad and Tobago, some will clink glasses, others will engage in “big” talk at cocktail parties while others will analyse gender issues to death in panel …
Read More »Not Condemning: Sexual harassment is no bad skylark; it’s high time we changed our tune, T&T
John Lennon had already said it back in the last century. And when earlier this year Jimmy Fallon converted Bob Dylan’s old 1964 lyrics into a 2018 message “Your silence speaks louder than those who condone,” Trinidad and Tobago, you needed to be listening; Messrs Lennon and Fallon/Dylan were speaking to …
Read More »Farmer Dulalchan tries to be frank on crime prevention; NPTA official’s touching story about “sexy” teachers
Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Deodath Dulalchan gave a glimpse of his considerable talent and potential for greatness yesterday as he told a Joint Select Committee on National Security that “public trust” is key to combatting crime. Mr Live Wire understands that Dulalchan, who was allegedly found guilty of misbehaviour by …
Read More »The art of ‘tiefing a wine’: Hassanali on bumpers, bumpees, bad behaviour and wine tiefers
It takes a lot of balls to wade into this issue all willy-nilly. But I miss Carnival and I feel for a challenge. Hopefully I won’t offend and the feminists won’t skin me alive. But if I do unintentionally lapse into ‘mansplaining’ when offering my perspective, I apologize in advance. …
Read More »Daly Bread: No strap needed; contrasting Machel’s swift apology and public officials’ arrogance
We may be having a progressive cultural shift. I am referring to the proposed need for “permission slips” to take a wine on a woman in a fete or on the road on Carnival days. The probability of that shift is to be measured by Machel Montano’s quick reverse from …
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