Homosexuality is illegal in Trinidad and Tobago. However homosexuals have not been actively targeted by the laws. Homosexuality refers to sexual interaction and / or romantic attraction between individuals of the same sex. ...

Criminal Code

Sexual Offences Act

Trinidadian criminal code prohibits sex between men, as is the case in much of the English-speaking Caribbean. Section 13 of the Sexual Offences Act 1986^[1] criminalises "buggery". This section, strengthened in 2000^[2], states: A Criminal Code is a compilation of government laws that outline a nations criminal offenses, and the maximum and minimum punishments that courts can impose upon offenders when such crimes are committed. ...

 (1) A person who commits buggery is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment— (a) if committed by an adult on a minor, for life; (b) if committed by an adult on another adult, for twenty-five years; (c) if committed by a minor, for five years. (2) In this section “buggery” means sexual inter­course per anum by a male person with a male person or by a male person with a female person. 

Section 16, relating to "serious indecency", provides a penalty of up to 15 years' imprisonment for homosexual acts between men and between women.

Immigration Act

Under Article 8 (18/1) of the Immigration Act^[3], homosexual men and women are not allowed to enter the country:

 (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), entry into Trinidad and Tobago of the persons described in this subsection, other than citizens and, subject to section 7(2), residents, is prohibited, namely- ... (e) prostitutes, homosexuals or persons living on the earnings of prostitutes or homosexuals, or persons reasonably suspected as coming to Trinidad and Tobago for these or any other immoral purposes; 

Enforcement

While the government has not specifically targeted homosexuals under the "buggery" and immigrations laws; individuals have been charged and convicted of "buggery" when coupled with other serious crimes^{[4] [5] [6]}.

As a result Trinidad is considered a society tolerant of homosexuals and a safe destination for gay travellers^[7].

References

1. ^ Sexual Offences Act, 1986
2. ^ Sexual Offences Act, 2000 amendment
3. ^ Immigration Act
4. ^ The State v. Steve Williams
5. ^ The State v. Patrick Wellington & Kelvin Persad
6. ^ The State v. Jacob Ramjattan
7. ^ GayTimes