What CAISO wants this election season

Thousands of GLBT voters will be participating in the May 24th general election. Like many other Trinbagonians, we want a responsible government that is going to protect and take care of all its people, and not leave some behind, regardless of which party or coalition wins at the polls. We want a government that is going to provide for different groups (young, middle-aged, and elderly, women, transgender people, and men, gay, lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual) according to their needs. We want a country where no one is a second-class citizen.

CAISO is committed to building a nation that is inclusive, forward-thinking and just. We were formed in response to an act of Government exclusion. We are participating in the current election campaign to ensure that GLBT citizens have a voice in national affairs:

• by educating our communities on the issues, and mobilising them to deepen their political participation; and
• by engaging and assisting political leaders to understand and respond to GLBT issues.

A member of Patrick Manning's detail promises CAISO a meeting with the Political Leader

CAISO is non-partisan, meaning that we do not endorse one party over another. Our constituents belong to and are active in several political parties. But we will let our constituents know where parties stand on issues important to them, and where there are relevant differences between parties and candidates.

CAISO’s stake in participating in the election is to promote the election of representatives who will fight to ensure that:

• every person in Trinidad & Tobago is protected from discrimination and violence and has equal access to protection by the police, the courts and the Equal Opportunity Commission
• no minority group in Trinidad & Tobago is unjustly persecuted or deprived of opportunity

• 

  PNM Chairman Conrad Enill & General Secretary Martin Joseph with copies of CAISO's election literature

  all children in our nation’s schools are safe from violence and bullying, are treated with fairness and attention regardless to who their parents may be, and are nurtured to express and grow into their individual selves

• everyone, regardless to where they live, who they are, or how they look, is able to access quality healthcare, which is delivered by personnel at all levels who treat their patients with dignity and respect
• people, especially young people, who are pushed into homelessness by circumstances in their lives, families or the economy, or by their inability to find employment, can participate in programmes that meet them where they are and provide a bridge to self-sufficiency
• young people in every community can grow up into healthy sexual lives as adults, free from physical or emotional coercion, abuse or violence

• 

  CAISO in the Balisier...next stop UNC/COP/TOP (Photos courtesy Bohemia)

  young people in our nation can enjoy a full range of opportunities and dreams without fear that certain choices or achievement are not appropriate to their gender

• we remain a multireligious society where people have a right to practise the faith of their choosing, or no faith at all, and where the government does not support or promote one faith over others
• sex in private between consenting adults is not treated as illegal
• everyone is able to belong to organisations and engage in private social activities of their choosing, without harassment or fear
• victims of crime, regardless to the nature of the crime, are treated with professionalism and sensitivity by the police and the criminal justice system in general

You can join CAISO this election, regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity:

• Make sure you are registered to vote TODAY. The EBC has announced that the final date for registration matters for the upcoming election is the close of business Tuesday 20 April.
  • Visit an Elections and Boundaries Commission office near you. (For a full list, click here or on “More” below.) Several have extended and weekend hours.
  • Or verify your registration online.
• Speak out whenever politicians or a party you support condone hatred, discrimination or ridicule against any group
• Don’t be afraid to say you know and care about GLBT people, and how they are treated in Trinidad & Tobago
• Visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/YLGX FMV, and if you support our goals, complete our survey.

Elections & Boundaries Commission
Scott House
134-138 Frederick Street
Port-of-Spain
(868) 625-8994, (868) 623-4622
FAX: (868) 627-7881
Hotline -627-0745/1516

Registration Area Offices

Arima and Piarco Offices Cor. Pro Queen Street and Robinson Circular Arima (868) 667-3544	Chaguanas Office Corner Main and Endeavour Roads Chaguanas (868) 665-5281
Couva Office TECU Building, Ground Floor 80-82 Southern Main Road Couva (868) 636-2441	Diego Martin Office Scott House 134-138 Frederick Street Port-of-Spain (868) 623-7027
Mayaro/ Rio Claro Office 2484 Naparima/Mayaro Road Rio Claro (868) 644-2266	Point Fortin Office 28 Canaan Road Point Fortin (868) 648-2404
Port-of-Spain /Laventille Office Scott House 134-138 Frederick Street Port-of-Spain (868) 623-5149	Princes Town Office Tajmool Hosein Building High Street, Princes Town (868) 655-2381
San Fernando & Penal/Debe Office 194 Circular road San Fernando (868) 652-4732	San Juan Office 125 Eastern Main Road Barataria (868) 638-3675
Sangre Grande Office 355 Brierley Street Sangre Grande (868) 668-3427	Siparia Office 4 Mary Street Siparia (868) 649-2423
Tabaquite/Talparo Office Corner Main and Endeavour Roads Chaguanas (868) 671-2518	Tobago Office Caroline Building #2 11 Hamilton Street Scarborough Tobago (868) 639-2929
Tunapuna Office Tunapuna Administrative Complex Corner Eastern Main Road and Centenary Street Tunapuna (868) 662-7137

Registration Area Sub Offices

Diego Martin Works Compound Diego Martin Main Road Four Roads (Opposite Victoria Gardens) (868) 633-3380	Penal /Debe 1326 S.S. Erin Road Penal (868) 647-1972
Mayaro/Rio Claro Administration Building Mayaro (868) 630-4612	Sangre Grande Sangre Grande Regional Corporation Building Toco Main Road Toco (868) 670-1480
Tabaquite/Talparo 52 A Bonne Aventure Road Gasparillo (868) 650-4331	Tobago Post Office Building Windward Road Roxborough (868) 660-4359