The Silver Lining Foundation - Addressing Violence and LGBT Youth Support in Trinidad and Tobago

TDOV 2025: The Power of Visibility – Honouring Trans Lives and Trans Joy

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Earl Edmund

Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) is a powerful affirmation of existence, resilience, and truth. Observed annually on March 31st, this day recognizes and honours the lives of transgender and gender-diverse people while shedding light on the challenges they continue to face. Visibility is power. When trans and gender-diverse people occupy space in a cisnormative world that often tries to erase them, they create opportunities for education, understanding, meaningful conversations and change. Seeing trans people in our communities, our workplaces, our…

MEDIA RELEASE: A Response to Court of Appeal Ruling in Attorney General v Jason Jones

Posted on March 26, 2025 by Earl Edmund

For Immediate Release | March 27th, 2025 SLF Calls on Political Parties to Commit to Protecting LGBTQI+ Rights: A Response to Court of Appeal Ruling in Attorney General v Jason Jones The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) acknowledges, with concern, the ruling delivered by the Court of Appeal in Attorney General v Jason Jones but expresses profound disappointment in the judgment. This decision is not a victory; it reflects a complex interplay between judicial restraint, legislative authority, and the fundamental rights…

MEDIA RELEASE: An Open Letter to Prime Minister Stuart Young

Posted on March 21, 2025 by Earl Edmund

MEDIA RELEASE March 21st, 2025 An Open Letter to Prime Minister Stuart Young: A Call to Protect All Students and Build a More Just Trinidad and Tobago Dear Prime Minister, The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) congratulates you on your appointment as Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago. This important role requires a passion for empowering all citizens, a comprehensive understanding of their needs, and clear and decisive leadership. Leadership is not just about governing; it is about shaping a…

IWD 2025 – #AccelerateAction: Building a Future of Equality & Empowerment

Posted on March 8, 2025 by Earl Edmund

International Women’s Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8, celebrates women’s achievements and accomplishments. It also serves as a platform to advocate for gender equality and recognize the challenges they continue to face. IWD recognises progress and emphasises the need for continuous efforts to create a more just, inclusive, and equitable world. Why The “Accelerate Action” Theme Matters This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action” is a reminder that while progress has been made in the fight for gender equality, change is…

From Promises to Progress: SLF Turns 13!

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Earl Edmund

The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) was just an idea in 2012 – a dream fueled by the hope of creating a world where young people could exist without fear, shame and the weight of discrimination. Today, we proudly celebrate 13 years of advocacy, education, and empowerment, a journey dedicated to creating stronger families, fostering safer schools, and ensuring that LGBTQIA+ people can live freely and authentically. Promises to Progress Thirteen years ago, we made a promise – a promise to…

SLF Holiday Message 2024

Posted on December 25, 2024 by Earl Edmund

As 2024 draws to a close, we wish all of you – our Silver Linings – a happy holiday season. The holiday season can mean many things to different people. It can be beautiful, stress-inducing, or overwhelming, a time filled with community yet also marked by loneliness. For some, this season brings moments of joy, connection, and togetherness. For others, the experience may be less positive, being in a non-affirming or unsupportive environment, leading to feelings of isolation. We hold…

Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now: Human Rights Day 2024

Posted on December 10, 2024 by Earl Edmund

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” – Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) This year’s commemoration of Human Rights Day carries a powerful message: “Our rights, our future, right now.” It is a call to action for societies everywhere to affirm equality, dignity, and freedom for all people, regardless of who they are or who they love. In recent years, Trinidad and Tobago has made significant strides in the fight…

Dear Eswick…

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Earl Edmund

The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) joins the LGBTQIA+ community in mourning the loss of our community pillar, fierce advocate and cherished friend, Eswick Padmore. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. While we grieve this tremendous loss, we also celebrate the incredible life he lived and the immeasurable impact he left behind. Eswick, fondly known as “Gaynor,” was a beacon of hope and strength for many. His…

Father’s Day 2024: The Power of Parental Support and Acceptance

Posted on June 16, 2024 by Earl Edmund

Father’s Day is a time to honour the impact that father figures have in our lives. For many in the LGBTQI+ community, the support and acceptance of our fathers or father figures have played a pivotal role in our journey to self-acceptance and happiness. It is crucial to recognise and appreciate the significance of parental support, especially from fathers, in the lives of LGBTQI+ individuals. Today is a day to celebrate the diverse forms of fatherhood and to honour the…

#SwipeToSafe: Precautionary Tips for Safer Online-to-Offline Meetups

Posted on June 9, 2024 by Earl Edmund

In today’s digital age, meeting people online can lead to real-life encounters, but ensuring safety during these meetups is more important than ever. While dating apps can be helpful for some, they also raise the risk of encountering violent predators. LGBTQIA+ persons may face even higher risks as attackers believe they are less likely to report violence due to fears of exposing their sexual orientation or gender identity, leading to further stigma and discrimination. While all dating app users face…

Blog