Privy Council overturns Trinidad and Tobago gay-sex ban

The UK-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council unanimously ruled that Trinidad and Tobago’s Sexual Offences Act cannot criminalize consensual sexual activity between adults in private, finding the provisions violate the constitutional right to respect for private and family life. The ruling followed a years-long challenge by LGBTQ+ rights campaigner Jason Jones, who had won in the High Court before losing on appeal. It also means adults in heterosexual relationships cannot be prosecuted for consensual anal intercourse in private. The colonial-era provisions threatened prison sentences and were criticized for stigmatizing LGBTQ+ people, though they were reportedly rarely enforced. Campaigners say the decision could support challenges to similar laws in other former British colonies.