Groundbreaking Queer Caribbeans Panel Discussion

On Wednesday, June 29th, approximately 50 people packed into Island SPACE’s art gallery, filled with chairs, to listen to a spirited panel discussion on the intersections of being queer and Caribbean. This in-person engagement was presented in partnership with Black LGBTQ+ Liberation, INC. (BLINC), and made possible with the generous support of the Broward Mall, FPL, Grace Foods, Our Fund, and the Florida Department of State Division of Arts and Culture, Florida Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts and the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund, Jack Belt Memorial Fund, Ginny and Tom Miller Fund, Stearns Weaver Miller Fund for the Arts, Harold D. Franks Fund.

The evening began at 6PM with a reception as guests from diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, including the core community as well as allies, soaked in information about some of the local LGBTQ champions highlighted in  the Queer Caribbeans exhibit. Attendees networked together and enjoyed some light refreshments on the patio. After the reception, the guests and panelists convened in the art gallery for the main event.

To start, Nany G drew the audience’s attention with her rhythmic drumming performance that echoed throughout the museum. Next, BLINC’s Nik Harris moderated the discussion, which focused on the issues and achievements the panelists had navigated in their coming out journeys, and in their lives since becoming openly queer. Speakers G. Wright Muir, Dr. Naomi R. Cobb, Carla Remington, Karen Prescod, and Sobourney Barnes engaged each other and the audience in a very lively discussion. 

Together, the panelists reflected on the unique realities and challenges growing up queer while physically in the Caribbean and/or in Caribbean households. They also spoke about their advocacy and vital work in the community. The audience appreciated the panelists’ candidness, and their humor truly made the panel dynamic and upbeat. 

After the panel discussion, guests had a second opportunity to mingle, view the Queer Caribbeans exhibit, and support local author Leslie Anne Frye-Thomas, who was promoting her stunning book.

Overall, the Queer Caribbeans in-person panel was a groundbreaking event, as it addressed taboo subjects like gender-fluidity and the sexuality spectrum in a mainstream Caribbean space.