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

Statement: Re- Zidane Malone & Mazza Baptiste

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Jeremy - SLF

The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) extends its deepest sympathies to the families of 14-year-old Zidane Malone, who sadly took his life on October 28th, 2016, and 13-year-old Mazza Baptiste, who tragically ended her life on October 30th, 2016. Zidane was a student of the Five Rivers Secondary School while Mazza was a student of the Cowen Hamilton Secondary School. They both had bright futures ahead of them and we now grieve the loss of these young, gifted souls with their…

Statement – Faith Gajadhar’s Passing

LA BREA – The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) extends its deepest condolences to the family of 16-year-old Faith Gajadhar, who tragically ended her life on September 7th, 2016. Faith, a student of St Francois Girl’s College, had a bright and promising future ahead of her. This light has now been snuffed out and we grieve this loss with her peers, friends and her family. The SLF is founded on the principle that young people can mobilize other youths to…

Rationalizing the Age of Consent

Civil Society Statement on Rationalizing the Age of Consent Corrective Legislation and Other Measures A grouping of organizations and individuals has been working around the issue of the age of consent. Given here is an abridged version of the document submitted to Government, agreed upon by the signatories listed below. The full document may be accessed at: www.winad.org/resources, www.networkngott.com and www.silverliningtt.com. The legal age of sexual consent to penetrative sex in Trinidad and Tobago was raised from 16 to 18…

SLF: Child Marriages Infringes on the Rights of the Child

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Jeremy - SLF

CHARLIEVILLE: The Inter Religious Organisation (IRO) has stated that it is opposed to changing the law as it pertains to child marriages in Trinidad and Tobago. Recent statements by representatives of the organization suggests they unanimously support this position and believe that child marriages are a form of protection and a tool of social utility. The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) is dedicated to promoting the rights of the child, particularly supporting and advocating for youth who are marginalised. As such,…

Statement on situation at Naparima College

The Silver Lining Foundation notes with concern and shock a recording purporting to be a teacher addressing students at Naparima College, San Fernando. School should be a place where a student is free to grow and learn in a safe, caring environment. That safety should apply to all students regardless of their sexuality or religious beliefs. We are thus appalled at the blatant disregard for student welfare and disrespect for the noble profession of teaching that may have occurred in…

SLF Condemns the Use of Homophobic Language/Bullying

SLF Condemns the Use of Homophobic Language/Bullying by Elected Representatives and Public Officials. The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) is once again calling on all elected representatives and public officials to conduct themselves in a manner that is befitting of their office, to the benefit of all citizens of our nation. The use of language that is crude, offensive and inflammatory which discriminates or persecutes persons or groups in society, has no place inside the walls of our country’s Parliament or…

SLF seeks Ministry’s approval to conduct Survey

SLF seeks Ministry’s approval to conduct National School Climate Survey on Bullying. The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) applauds the Minister of Education’s recent comments that his ministry is committed to acting on information on bullying. This statement affirms a strong stance against violence in our nation’s schools by the Ministry of Education and certainly sends the right message that bullying should not and will not be tolerated. However the foundation holds the view that any policy that is reactive and…

T&T’s LGBTI NGO’s Pledge to work with Government

T&T’s LGBTI NGO’s Pledge to work with Rowley Government For Justice And Diversity Non-governmental groups who took to the airwaves during the recently concluded election to raise key policy and legislative concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) members of the national community today congratulate our new Prime Minister Keith Rowley, Attorney General Faris Al Rawi and the People’s National Movement on their election victory. Allies for Justice & Diversity pledges to join the new government in resuming…

SLF Calls on Political Parties to End Political Homophobia

PORT OF SPAIN – The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF) notes the rise of homophobic slurs and innuendos which has overwhelmed the general tone of the election race amongst all parties, candidates and their supporters. The Foundation is calling all parties and candidates contesting this year’s General Election and their supporters, to refrain from using discrimination as a cheap political plot against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community to garner political support and votes. Given the “no position”…

A Safe Space – Minister’s Speech

Posted on May 11, 2015 by admin

“A SAFE SPACE” The Honourable Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, Minister of Public Administration Everyone, regardless of race, colour, creed, gender, nationality or sexual orientation needs a safe space. The history of humanity is one of struggle and inequity brought about by the inevitability of the strong preying on the weak, the powerful oppressing the powerless, and the rich grinding the poor into the dirt. From Genesis to Revelations, from Cain to Abel, violence is endemic in this human “hit” parade. Our passage…

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