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

World Aids Day 2020

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Brandon Kalyan

Each year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. Each World AIDS Day focuses on a specific theme, which this year will be Global solidarity, shared responsibility. This year’s theme joins a growing list of challenges that World AIDS Day has alerted people to globally. “In an interview with the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday in…

Transgender Day Of Remembrance 2020

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Brandon Kalyan

Today, on #TransgenderDayOfRemembrance, we remember the lives of our brothers and sisters lost to transphobic violence. We remember and honour those who’ve been lost to hatred and prejudice as we remind ourselves of the challenges that transgender people continue to face every single day. The trans experience is independent of sexual orientation; transgender people may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual or any part of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Some may even consider conventional sexual orientation labels inapplicable to them. We…

Coming Out Day 2020

Posted on October 11, 2020 by Brandon Kalyan

❤️ Your journey & identity are valid.🧡 Take your time; come out when you’re ready.💛 It’s normal to feel worried.💚 Reach out to someone if you feel burdened.💙 You are loved & supported.💜 Owning your truth may be difficult but it will be worth it.Today, on the heels of #WorldMentalHealthDay, we celebrate the courage it takes to tell the world who you are and celebrate your very existence. Wherever you are in your journey, we love you, we support you…

Your New Normal, Our New Normal

Posted on September 14, 2020 by Earl Edmund

With the reopening of schools, albeit in a different mode of learning amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) takes this opportunity to extend best wishes to all students, parents, educators and education stakeholders for a successful new academic year. Life during the COVID-19 pandemic can be a challenge for a lot of educators, parents and children. Given the difficulties of the situation across the globe, authorities should definitely assess the educational, public health and socio-economic factors, in…

Finding Pride in Mental Health- Live!

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Brandon Kalyan

In this live and interactive webcast we will be focusing on one’s mental health, the lived #LGBT+ experience and how we are building stronger relationships between #LGBTQI persons and their families 🏳️‍🌈👭. Featuring guest panellist Dr Katija Khan (Clinical Psychologist),Mr Rian Merrick (MSc. Clinical Mental Health Counselor)Ms Kelly Mc Farlane (Clinical Psychologist, Organisational Psychologist) 0:00:00 Countdown0:00:15 Introduction0:00:35 Topics0:00:50 Discussion0:03:15 Safe Spaces0:06:20 Building Stronger Families0:16:40 Mental Health During Pride Month0:20:05 Adverse Experiences & Trauma0:24:55 Conversion Therapy0:28:55 Family Acceptance0:38:00 Lasting Ally Support0:41:15…

#RaiseTheFlag

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Earl Edmund

Written by: Scott Marchack (@thepsychtivist) “To the world – you were cruel to a great extent, but I forgive.” These were the last words written by Sarah Hegazi before taking her own life. Middle Eastern laws that criminalise “sexual deviance” and “debauchery” together with Egyptian president Abdel Fatah Al-Sissi’s clampdown on free expression have been used to target and arrest queer persons. After her arrest for raising a pride flag at a concert in Cairo, Hegazi was allegedly tortured and sexually assaulted. She sought asylum in Canada, where her trauma reached its peak. And across…

IDAHOBIT 2020

Posted on May 16, 2020 by Brandon Kalyan

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2020 Despite our current challenging circumstances, May 17th 2020 marks 30 years since the World Health Organisation’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. We at The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) are proud to stand in solidarity with other LGBTI organisations and the LGBTI community, both regionally as well as globally, to break the silence and speak out against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Today reminds us of SLF’s core…

Free & Private Counselling for LGBT+ & Family

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Brandon Kalyan

Sign up today for our FREE service designed uniquely for LGBTI persons or their family members to receive private counselling with trained professionals.⁣⁣Available in-person and or electronically, allow us to provide our community with a flexible environment to unburden your daily struggles.⁣⁣Enquire Today:⁣Email – hello@slftt.org or⁣Call Us – +1 (868) 470-1967*⁣⁣An initiative made possible through the financial support by the European Union and Sexual Culture of Justice project.⁣…

A Letter of Restraint performed by Sasha Ann-Moses

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Brandon Kalyan

Sasha Ann-Moses sings her calypso about how a restraining order being an ineffectual piece of paper and not making a difference to people facing #domesticviolence. Watch the full performance on our Facebook library or YouTube channel, search for: ‘The Silver Lining Foundation’. #IWD2020 #IWD #GenerationEquality⁣⁣‘A Letter of Restraint’ performed by Sasha-Ann Moses⁣Written and composed by Lawrence Percival⁣Produced by Junior “IBO” Joseph⁣© 2020 Hosted by: @iwdtt✍️+📹: @brandonkalyan…

16 Days of Activism with IGDS Ignite

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Brandon Kalyan

As a part of the 16 Days of Activism, the student group, IGDS Ignite (Institute for Gender and Development Studies, St. Augustine Unit) raised awareness of sexual street harassment by Chalking Back! The Silver Lining Foundation stands in solidarity with the CATCALLS project and their #feminist activism. Women, girls and #LGBTI persons are catcalled and harassed publicly every day. A significant part of the #activism was education around recognizing what entails consent and knowing when consent is given or not.…

Blog