CWSDC

CWSDC10, 2022: (re)building and (re)strengthening collective leadership, growth and care

We are Caribbean women!

The first gathering of it’s kind in the region, the Caribbean Women and Sexual Diversity Conference continues to be at the vanguard of building advocacy and uniting lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LBTQI) people. Celebrating the diversity of the Caribbean Woman – every shade of personality, every shape of intelligence, every style of wit, CWSDC is a network, a safe space and an incubator for LBTQIA female- and trans-identified activists in the Caribbean and diaspora. It seeks to develop regional capacity in advocacy and maximises opportunities for involvement with and support of LGBTQ+ organisations in the Caribbean. This is reflected in the intensification of participants’ subsequent advocacy and their expanded involvement in the conference as presenters and co-organisers. The CWSDC annually invites activists, both LBTQI and allies, advocating for communities of diverse sexual and gender identities and expressions and sex characteristics.

CWSDC partners logos — *The CWSDC-5 logo reflects the 5-year journey of the Women’s Conference to Saint Lucia, the island where it germinated*

Since 2013, the annual women’s conference has been staged successfully in a different Caribbean country each year. The CWSDC is organised by the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality Inc (ECADE). Launched as an initiative of United and Strong Inc, it is still guided by the two main organisers Kenita Placide and Maria Fontenelle.

With the aim of increasing Caribbean women’s visibility in the movement to recognise the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people, the focus of the CWSDC is primarily capacity building. Just as important to our activism is the sense sisterhood, of common purpose and support that emerges a unique expression of camaraderie and commitment at every single gathering.

CWSDC is a network, a safe space and an incubator for LBTQIA female- and trans-identified activists in the Caribbean and diaspora. It seeks to develop regional capacity in advocacy and maximises opportunities for involvement with and support of LGBTQ+ organisations in the Caribbean. This is reflected in the intensification of participants’ subsequent advocacy and their expanded involvement in the conference as presenters and co-organisers.