Exploring the intersectionality of Queer identities and Caribbeanness.
Constructing healing spaces of dialogue, visibility, and unity through storytelling, educational presentations, cultural performing arts, films, and panel discussions.
The Caribbean Equality Project’s L.O.V.E.—Living Our Values Equally was an annual benefit event fostering critical conversations related to queer Caribbean migrant histories, healthy relationships, and coming out narratives. Oftentimes queer people of color communities are pushed to the margins in discourses of "pride," This event uniquely created an unprecedented cultural exploration of the intersectionality of Queer, Two-Spirit, Trans, & Gender Non-Conforming identities and Caribbeanness.
L.O.V.E. represented an intergenerational space in nature, grounded in community building with a focus on uplifting those who, out of fear, live in the shadows to safely access resources and share their experiences of living without essential health care, mental health care, and legal status. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the event produced an opportunity for activists, organizers, academics, and artists to empower community members impacted by mental health issues, family rejection, isolation, and living with HIV, which adds another layer of stigma, shame, and discrimination to seek support and find community.
L.O.V.E. 2019
L.O.V.E. 2019L.O.V.E. was developed with the goal of creating networks of support, while celebrating, educating, building capacity and highlighting the cultural diversities and colorful identities of the diasporic Caribbean LGBTQ+ community in NYC. The project was made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Queens Council on the Arts.
Past events included cultural performances and presentations such as a reading from I Even Regret Night: Holi Songs of Demerara by award-winning Indo-Caribbean poet Rajiv Mohabir a film screening of “The Book of Jasmine”, written and directed by Melanie Grant, a ballet performance by the Bloodline Dance Theatre titled “Donnys Love”, which illustrated the freedom of loving without the notion of sexual identity, a reading from Crossfire: A Litany for Survival by world-renowned LGBTQ poet and spoken-word artist, Staceyann Chin, music by poet, singer, and songwriter, Nhojj. In addition, L.O.V.E. featured storytelling panel discussions featuring culturally competent mental health professionals, reproductive justice & trans rights activists, and community building organizers.
L.O.V.E. 2017
L.O.V.E. 2018Featured Participants
Stush an' Bush (Robert & Khadieme): Hosts
Khadieme and Robert are two afro-queeribbean blackademics who formerly hosted a bi-weekly podcast entitled Stush an’ Bush on Caribbean happenings and overall mixup with a queer twist.
Staceyann Chin: Keynote Speaker
A fulltime writer and activist who identifies as Caribbean and Black, Asian and lesbian, woman and resident of New York City. Chin has enjoyed global success, performing poetry across the US and Europe.
Rajiv Mohabir: Keynote Speaker
Professor of Poetry, author of three multilingual chapbooks, and winner of the inaugural Chapbook Prize by Ghostbird Press.
Monique R. Binford: Speaker
A Masters-prepared Adult Nurse Practitioner, who specializes in HIV/AIDS. As a graduate of SUNY Stony Brook, she has received praise from the New York Times for her lectures on safer sex and the elderly. Her experience spans communities such as substance abusers and women.
Richard David: Speaker
David was the Democratic nominee for Assembly Member in District 31 in Queens, NY in 2020. He previously served as Chief of Staff at the NYC Administration for Children’s Services and Executive Director at the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs.
Romola O. Lucas: Panelist
Attorney of Guyanese heritage who is the founder and Executive Director of the Caribbean Film Academy (CaFA), a non-for-profit created to support Caribbean filmmakers.
Shivana Jorawar: Panelist
Shivana is a queer, first-generation Guyanese American and intersectional feminist. She is a founding member of Jahajee Sisters, and has over 10 years of experience as a policy advocate.
Antoine B. Craigwell: Panelist
A trained journalist and founder of DBGM, Inc, a non-profit organization committed to raising awareness of the underlying factors contributing to depression and suicidal ideation in Black gay men.
Melvin "Julius " Owens: Panelist
A licensed care management professional who assist historically disenfranchised communities gain access to primary behavioral health services.
Wladimir Lewis-Thomas de Rosier: Panelist
Dr. Wladimir Lewis-Thomas is a Haitian retiree from the Department of Education. He holds a Ph.D. in Education Counseling, and served for thirty-one and half years with community school districts in central and southern Brooklyn, NY.
Twinkle A. Paul: Panelist
A transgender Guyanese human rights activist with 8+ years of fearless frontline advocacy experience fighting for trans rights and social justice in Guyana and New York City at the local, regional, and international levels.
Dexter McLennon: Panelist
A Queer Afro-Guyanese immigrant and human rights activist. Dexter is a mentor for CEP’s Unchained, as well as a certified EMT. He currently resides in NYC after fighting for asylum upon leaving Guyana.
Nhojj: Musical Keynote
With an unwavering passion for staying true to his artistic callings and a spirit born out of epiphanies, Nhojj has spent more than a decade becoming what some regard as a “soul pioneer”.
Raj Persaud: Musical Performer
A musician who began his career singing in Hindu faith-based spaces and at Uniondale High School. Raj showcases intersectional musical skills and is a staple at Queens-based charitable events, sharing his talents in support of social justice causes.
Bloodline Dance Theater: Performers
Formerly known as Fierce Roots, Bloodline Dance Theatre was created by Lamont Joseph as a collective of the arts for emerging choreographers and dancers in Brooklyn.
Taranng Dance Troupe: Performers
A group of unique dancers whose mission is to bring unity and respect within the performing arts communities. They strive to bring joy and peace through fundraising, cultural events and dance workshops.
Rajeev N. Singh: Performer
An Indo-Caribbean artist, model, and dancer born and raised in Guyana. He is a member of several dance groups and has performed in Guyana and New York-based dance productions. Rajeev’s artistic career includes modeling for Guyana’s fashion week and features in multiple tv ads.
Sundari The Indian Goddess: Drag Performer
A Guyana born, Indo-Caribbean drag entertainer who became the first drag queen of Guyanese heritage to perform in a non-LGBTQ+ musical production in Queens, NY. She is a trained Kathak, Orissi, Bollywood, Bhangra, and Chutney dancer.
Detoxx Busti-ae: Drag Performer
A drag entertainer for 10+ years who has brought her unique style of being an “NYC Drag Queen with a Jamaican twist,” around the world. Busti-ae goes by the pronouns of she/her when in drag, and he/him when out of drag as Steven Rose. She is an avid volunteer with CEP, promoting self-love.
Jahlisa A. Ross (aka Jahlove Serrano): Drag Performer
A health educator, youth advocate, HIV/AIDS activist, androgynous model/runway coach, Drag Queen, background dancer, and choreographer.
