PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten/St. Martin Alliance For Equality (SAFE) Foundation was officially established on Tuesday, December 10, which is recognized by the United Nations as International Human Rights Day.
The premise of the newly establish foundation is to promote the human rights of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered people on the island. The formation of the group came out a need felt by members to organize the local lgbt community and their allies and provide persons with a safe place and space in which to discuss matters relevant to them, while also learning more about their human rights and responsibilities.
"In general, the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, and even the other islands of the former Netherlands Antilles, has been tolerant to lgbt persons, but that does not mean that there are not still stigmas and taboos associated with people who self-identify or are even perceived of as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgendered. As lgbt people and allies we think that it is time we start addressing these attitudes amongst ourselves and also with people of the wider St. Maarten/St. Martin community," the board of SAFE said in a press release.
"There are those on St. Maarten/St. Martin who have preconceived ideas about a so called gay agenda, even on the island, when in fact there is no gay agenda that we rally around. It is human rights which grounds our platform. As far as we know, LGBT people on St. Maarten/St. Martin do not want any rights that are not extended to heterosexuals or that are not in line with those enjoyed by straight people. LGBT people, therefore, do not want "special" rights or recognition, but want human rights and recognition. That is the grounding from which SAFE wishes, and plans, to grow."
The board of the foundation is comprised of representatives from across the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgendered and ally spectrum. The initial board, which was elected in early October and charged with setting up the foundation is made up of Lysanne Charles, President; Nadjesca Gumbs, Treasurer; Arman Hodge, Secretary, and board members Mylene Engel, Gerard van Osch, Nigel Lalman and Laurent Drouin-Le May.
The date of incorporation was not happenstance; all involved worked assiduously to ensure that all paperwork was completed for a Human Rights Day signing.
"We look forward to engaging in productive discussions within the lgbt community and also with the larger island community. Even in 2013 there are still a lot of misconceptions about lgbt people and we believe that the only way to overcome those misjudgements is through open dialogue grounded in respect for all as human beings."