AROUND THE GLOBE
Travelers Beware
These Caribbean countries still ban gay sex. Though rarely enforced, the Caribbean islands of Saint Lucia and Saint Kitts and Nevis (the latter are two islands but one country) have yet to legalize same-sex sexual relations. Instead, both countries still have laws on the books which ban and punish such acts between consenting adults, and which can carry a punishment of up to 10 years in prison. “You are not safe,” a 20-year-old man from Saint Kitts and Nevis told Human Rights Watch. “You have to hide who you are” or otherwise folks will “get physical.” Cristian González Cabrera, LGBT rights researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement, “Laws criminalizing same-sex conduct reinforce prejudices and provide social and legal sanction for discrimination, violence, and prejudice against LGBT people. Saint Lucia and Saint Kitts and Nevis should heed the recommendations of UN member states and provide their residents protection on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBT people are part of the social fabric of the island nations and deserve the same respect and rights as everyone else.” — DP
Lena Waithe Takes on Outdoors So White Out actor, filmmaker, and advocate Lena Waithe (Master of None) has been tapped to co-lead The North Face’s new Explore Fund Council. The fund has been around for more than a decade, incentivizing outdoor participation through grants to various nonprofits, but North Face wanted to do more. The new council gives voice to traditionally underrepresented communities to increase access to nature and outdoor recreation that has been predominantly seen as the domain of cis, straight, white Americans. Waithe joins Academy Award-winning director Jimmy Chin (Free Solo) to distribute $7 million in grants to organizations that will help Black, Indigenous, and other people of color venture outdoors in greater numbers. Eric Raymond, The North Face’s director of social impact and advocacy, says they recruited Waithe to represent and speak to those traditionally outside the outdoor industry. “Lena’s experience in Hollywood is incredibly valuable,” Raymond says. “She brings a unique perspective on how to impact culture, create opportunities, and tell stories.” The fund has already helped thousands of BIPOC experience the benefits of nature. The star power of those involved in this new effort will introduce even more folks to the joy of adventuring into the great outdoors.
Living on the Edge The Lesbian Bar Project is a fundraising and education effort founded by legendary lesbian actress Lea DeLaria. It began in 2020 to crowdfund for the 21 lesbian bars remaining in the United States, as they faced the unprecedented economic onslaught of the lockdown. Keeping those bars alive is about more than just keeping their (usually) lesbian owners and staff in business. As Lesbian Bar Project notes in their appeal, “Without space, we lose power, validity, communal safety, and access to intergenerational dialogue.” DeLaria also produced a short documentary about the plight of lesbian bars. Although fundraising efforts continue, the focus seems to have shifted from collecting individual donations to engaging corporate partners like dating app Hinge, which donated $50,000 to the cause this summer. Ultimately, the best support is getting customers back into brick and mortar bars; until then, many are trying to keep connections and community alive online. —JACOB ANDERSON-MINSHALL
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DANIEL BOCZARSKI/GETTY IMAGES (WAITHE); ALEXI ROSENFELD/GETTY IMAGES (CUBBYHOLE)
The star joins Jimmy Chin and North Face to increase BIPOC presence.
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