COVID-19 impact on our work & the Caribbean Region
Dear community,
Amid ongoing concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the health and safety of our Caribbean LGBTQ+ community in New York City, and our community partners are our highest priority. We are closely following the guidance of local, national, and global health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health), in ensuring our own actions address these current challenges.
New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently declared a State of Emergency in response to the Coronavirus outbreak in NY. As a result, in the interest of our community’s health, the Organizing Committee of the 32nd Annual Phagwah Parade has made the difficult but responsible decision to cancel this year’s Phagwah Parade. This decision was made based on a risk assessment on the demographic of those attending the parade and the call for social distancing from health experts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Given the proximity of people attending the festival and since playing Holi/ Phagwah is an interactive celebration, CEP is in full support of the Phagwah Parade of NY’s decision. Our Phagwah Social Justice Collective will be back in 2021!
Going forward, CEP will postpone and/or cancel all community-based events where there is usually much human interaction and fellowship, including our monthly Unchained, Caribbean LGBTQ+ Support Group. This action will extend until further notice, as we watch the evolution of this pandemic.
We stand in solidarity with the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Martinique, and Cuba, all of whom have confirmed COVID-19 cases. Our support goes out to our community in those countries, as well as their families. We encourage everyone to show support and compassion to our communities back home, and to those that have been deeply affected (and other Caribbean countries that may become impacted owing to this outbreak). Our thoughts are with the Caribbean LGBTQ+ youth and seniors who, because of being quarantined or becoming stationary, may be susceptible to forms of violence and harassment in their homes (where they may not have always felt safe, but are forced to find “safety”).
The Caribbean Equality Project denounces any derogatory or xenophobic beliefs or remarks made in reaction to the COVID-19 outbreak. We believe that this is a time where we must show our strength as a community, by supporting and loving each other, particularly the most vulnerable and/or immunocompromised.
While the coronavirus poses a very real threat, public reaction has led to subsequent harm, including but not limited to multiple cases of Asian Americans being attacked, a decline in customers at Asian-owned establishments, and discrimination at work and in public spaces. While the presence of Asians and Asian Americans in public spaces is being increasingly perceived as a threat, we also want to take a moment to acknowledge and stand with the LGBTQ+ Black, Latinx, indigenous, first nations, and Muslim communities for whom this is a daily reality. We urge our community to work with us to combat xenophobia and the dissemination of misinformation.
Here are some infographics from NYC Health with safety solutions that should be followed during this time, which we encourage that you all to practice and share with others:
We acknowledge that there is immense fear over the threat of COVID-19. As such, we encourage our community to educate yourselves, wash and sanitize your hands, and help alleviate the spread of misinformation and widespread fear.
We stand in solidarity with all those who have been affected and impacted.
For additional safety and health tips on remaining healthy and staying informed, please visit the following sites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
New York City Department of Health
If you need support and additional resources, please email us at info@CaribbeanEqualityProject.org or phone us at 347.709.3179.
In solidarity, Safety, and Health,
The CEP Leadership Team
To learn more about the Caribbean Equality Project & for regular updates on our work connect with us on YouTube, Twitter @CaribEquality and Facebook and Instagram at @CaribbeanEqualityProject.