The death of Jonty Robinson has caused distress among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in Grenada and across the eastern Caribbean, emphasising underlying tensions in the region.
GrenCHAP and the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) are saddened by the murder of Robinson, an openly gay man, and concerned about the implications of the manner in which it occurred.
The body of Jonty Jordon Josiah Robinson was found on BBC Beach, a popular hangout spot for locals in St George, Grenada, on 18 June 2023. Robinson’s death was ruled a murder following a second autopsy.
More than a month after his death, there appears to be little progress on the case. The few updates that have been made available to the public have revealed little urgency in seeking a perpetrator or motive for his murder. Visible and robust action on this case to find and hold the murderer accountable, would signal that every life matters, including LGBTQ+ lives.
GrenCHAP states, “Jonty’s loss resonates as a son, a brother, a friend, an artist, a community member, a Grenadian. We cannot fathom the contribution that his family, his community, Grenada and the world will never realise. This is the cost that we must keep in mind as we continue to advocate for justice for Jonty, who during his life, was subject to continuous abuse and denied the protection rightfully due to every Grenadian because of his sexuality.”
The State has an obligation to protect, respect and fulfil the right of every Grenadian citizen to life, personal liberty, expression, protection from inhuman treatment and protection under the law, among other rights. GrenCHAP and ECADE note that demonstrating respect for these rights are especially important in an environment that is seen to criminalise LGBTQ+ people.
“There is additional responsibility of authorities where lives, particularly of gay men, are at risk, whether through public, domestic or intimate-partner violence, fuelled by public policy and discriminatory laws,” says Kenita Placide, Executive Director of ECADE. “The impact of these laws in emboldening discrimination against LGBTQ+ people is the motivation for ECADE’s 5-country legal challenge to anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the eastern Caribbean, including Grenada. Already, 3 countries have deemed these laws unconstitutional. We will continue to push forward as we know the impact of unjust criminalisation, discrimination, abuse and violence on the lives of our community.”
We at GrenCHAP and ECADE are hopeful that the police will work assiduously to ensure the safety of citizens, especially gay men and other LGBTQ+ people; to cut through the noise and fear to resolve this case professionally and swiftly.
ECADE & GrenCHAP
Resources
- Police investigate death at BBC Beach. NOW Grenada
- “Jonty” was murdered. The New Today Grenada
- Tribute to Jonty. Vogue Magazine
- Tyler Perry Calls for Help, Offers $100K Reward for Information About Targeted Murder of Gay Man. People Magazine
- Tyler Perry appeal on behalf of Yvette Noel-Schure. Facebook
- Celebrating the life of Jonty Jordon Josiah Robinson. T & R Communications
Additional information
- Criminal Code of Grenada. Government of Grenada
- LGBTQ+ litigation in the Eastern Caribbean. ECADE
- Saint Kitts ban on gay sex struck down by Caribbean regional court. Reuters
- The Region Which Legislates Who You Can Love. Gemma Handy
- “I Have to Leave to Be Me” Discriminatory Laws against LGBT People in the Eastern Caribbean. Human Rights Watch
- Violence against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Persons in the Americas. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
This is one sided, their is no evidence showing that he was killed because he was gay, that could have been any other young man losing their life. Stop creating that narratives, several carnival band this year and previous years have, had know gays parting and alive and continue live under our current laws. The RGPF may not be Scott land yard, but you can’t expect them pull a suspect out of their ‘ass’ . It dam shame Tyler Perry, should visit like Markie Markland joining bandwagon.
Justice of this sort must start with changes in our law… Everyone including those in the LGBT community pays taxes and deserve justice… These outdated laws are to blame… we may not agree with ones choice in lifestyle. However, that has nothing to do with the rest of us how he chose to live his life. Also, it is clear the RGPF is not doing much in this case due to this guys lifestyle
So an openly gay individual is a contributing member to society now, just for being gay? Stop the non sense
Please think….No, not just for being gay…… He was also a musician and also a worker who paid taxes…. do you?
It was a real artist…the problem is you with your comment representing Grenada
Hello, I’m not from Grenada, and I support your comment.
I see it as greed, a way to earn extra money which the organizer of the event has to pay.
Now our police are slow and spends far too much time attending or working at private functions where they are paid which in my opinion is wrong….they are so many private security firms out there who can do this sort of work so why are our police men and women are allowed to work at these events when they can and should be doing police work out in the field.
This must be changed and changes quick as the crime rate and other criminal activities are on the increase.
I know what you mean as well CBI situation.