United Workers Party (UWP) Deputy Leader Guy Joseph has sharply criticised the High Court’s recent decision to strike down colonial-era laws criminalising buggery and gross indecency, calling the ruling “no greater abomination in any country” and warning that Saint Lucia is “bringing a curse” upon itself.
The landmark judgment, delivered by Justice Innocent, declared Sections 132 and 133 of the Criminal Code unconstitutional, finding that they violated rights enshrined in Saint Lucia’s Constitution, including privacy, liberty, security of the person, freedom of expression, and protection from discrimination.
But Joseph, speaking on Sunday, August 10, accused the government of failing to oppose the ruling and suggested it could open the door to same-sex marriage.
“Now I know in Parliament and in Cabinet majority rules, but Mr. Prime Minister, don’t come to me with same-sex marriage laws and think I’m to vote for it in government,” he said.
He linked the decision to biblical warnings, invoking the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.
“These fellars are led by evil forces. You doubt me? You see this latest law that they are not objecting to? In Sodom and Gomorrah, the men were burning inside them with lust for other men,” Joseph said, adding that Saint Lucia is “a conservative country” and “a Christian country” that must not “allow the wickedness that the Labour Party is perpetuating to put us off track.”
The Deputy Leader stressed that the fight over the ruling is “not ordinary powers of mankind” and urged the country to “be careful” about the path ahead.
