WanderSafe — LGBTQ+ Travel Safety

Port of Spain, Trinidad

High Risk

Trinidad and Tobago occupies a pivotal — and currently precarious — position in Caribbean LGBTQ+ rights. The landmark 2018 High Court ruling in Jason Jones v. Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, which struck down Sections 13 and 16 of the Sexual Offences Act 1986 (criminalizing buggery with up to 25 years imprisonment and 'serious indecency' with up to 5 years). Justice Devindra Rampersad ruled these sections unconstitutional as violations of the rights to privacy, liberty, and equality. That ruling was overturned on appeal: on 25 March 2025 the Court of Appeal held the colonial-era provisions are protected as 'saved law,' recriminalizing consensual same-sex activity (with the buggery penalty reduced to 5 years). Jones has appealed to the Privy Council, which heard the case on July 8, 2026 and has not yet ruled; as of September 2026, same-sex sexual activity is again criminalized. There are also no affirmative protections -- there is no anti-discrimination legislation, no recognition of same-sex relationships, and no gender recognition framework. Port of Spain, the capital, is the most cosmopolitan city in the English-speaking Caribbean and has an active LGBTQ+ advocacy scene led by organizations like CAISO (Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation). Trinidad Carnival, one of the world's largest cultural festivals, creates a temporary space of gender-bending performance and expression, though this performative freedom does not always translate to daily acceptance.

HIGH RISK DESTINATION

Port of Spain, Trinidad is rated High Risk for LGBTQ+ travelers. Same-sex relations may be criminalized. Read the full assessment below before traveling.

Safety by Community

Confidence C · LGBTQ+ data as of 2026-09-24

  • LGBTQ+ 38 (High Risk)
  • Trans 35 (High Risk)
  • HIV+ 52 (Exercise Caution)
  • Neurodivergent — not yet scored
  • Blind / Low-vision — not yet scored
  • Deaf / HoH — not yet scored ⚠
  • Mobility — not yet scored ⚠
  • Chronic illness — not yet scored
  • Religious minorities 78 (Generally Safe)

Travel Warnings

Accessibility barrier: text-to-911

Trinidad and Tobago emergency numbers (police 999/911, fire 990, ambulance 811) are voice-call only. No text-to-emergency or SMS/relay channel for deaf or non-speaking callers was found. Plan around this before you travel.

Source: https://odpm.gov.tt/emergency_contacts-2/ · verified 2026-06-18

Accessibility barrier: step-free public transit

Per Island City Lab's 'Moving Together in Port of Spain' analysis and milehacker's transport guide, mass transit in Trinidad is generally not wheelchair accessible: many buses and maxi-taxis lack accessibility, maxi-taxis are not step-free and have no ramp alternative, and even where some buses provide wheelchair facilities the first part of the journey is often not accessible. Trinidad has no metro/rail system. Plan around this before you travel.

Source: https://www.islandcitylab.org/articles/moving-together-in-port-of-spain · verified 2026-06-17

Data sources: WanderSafe 2026 + Equaldex + ILGA World + CAISO Trinidad

Trinidad and Tobago's legal situation was transformed by the 2018 Jones ruling but remains a work in progress. Decriminalization removed criminal penalties but the legal framework provides no affirmative LGBTQ+ protections. Advocacy organizations continue to push for extensive anti-discrimination legislation.

Same-sex sexual activity
illegal
Decriminalized by the High Court in Jason Jones v. Attorney General (2018). Justice Rampersad struck down Sections 13 (buggery, up to 25 years) and 16 (serious indecency, up to 5 years) of the Sexual Offences Act 1986 as unconstitutional violations of Sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution (rights to privacy, liberty, security, enjoyment of property, equality before law). The government DID appeal: on 25 March 2025 the Court of Appeal overturned the 2018 High Court ruling, holding the buggery and serious-indecency provisions are protected as saved law and recriminalizing consensual same-sex activity (buggery penalty reduced from 25 to 5 years). Jones has appealed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC 2025/0095), heard on July 8, 2026, with judgment reserved; it is the first LGBTQ+ decriminalization case the Privy Council has heard. As of September 2026, same-sex sexual activity remains criminalized in Trinidad and Tobago pending that ruling.
Same-sex marriage
illegal
Not recognized. The Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act (Chap. 45:51) makes a marriage void if the parties are not respectively male and female, and there is no civil union law.
Anti-discrimination protections
illegal
The Equal Opportunity Act 2000 prohibits discrimination on grounds including sex, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, marital status, and disability -- but explicitly excludes sexual orientation and gender identity. Multiple attempts by CAISO and allied parliamentarians to amend the Act to include SOGIE have been defeated or shelved.
Gender recognition
ambiguous
No legislation addresses legal gender recognition. No administrative process exists for changing gender markers on identity documents. The Registrar General has no established procedure. Trans individuals must use birth-assigned documentation. The Equal Opportunity Act's exclusion of gender identity compounds the vulnerability.
Adoption by same-sex couples
illegal
The Adoption of Children Act Chapter 46:03 does not permit joint adoption by same-sex couples. Single LGBTQ+ individuals may theoretically apply but face practical barriers in a system with significant discretion.
Immigration recognition
illegal
The Immigration Act does not recognize same-sex spouses or partners for immigration purposes. Foreign same-sex partners of Trinidadian nationals have no spousal immigration pathway. Section 8(1)(e) of the Immigration Act also lists 'homosexuals' as prohibited entrants; it is not known to be enforced.

How these scores are computed

  • Legal 35 — derived from 8 verified indicators (100% coverage)
  • Safety 40 — derived from 6 verified indicators (100% coverage)
  • Community 42 — derived from 5 verified indicators (100% coverage)
  • Infrastructure 42 — derived from 7 verified indicators (100% coverage)

Anchors, weights, and the full formula are published in the methodology.

Emergency Contacts

Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (Emergency)
999 · www.ttps.gov.tt
Port of Spain General Hospital
+1-868-285-8989
CAISO: Sex and Gender Justice (LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Support)
+1-868-384-9557 · www.caisott.org
Silver Lining Foundation (LGBTQ youth support)
+1-868-470-1967 · www.silverliningtt.com
U.S. Embassy Port of Spain
+1-868-622-6371 · tt.usembassy.gov
Ambulance (Emergency)
811

Local Resources & Who to Contact

Vetted organizations and helplines that can assist travelers here. In countries where this community is criminalized, contact notes flag how to reach out safely.

LGBTQ+ org: CAISO: Sex and Gender Justice (national)
+1-868-384-9557 · caisott.org
Registered LGBTQI+ org (Belmont, Trinidad) whose Wholeness & Justice programme provides legal aid, strategic litigation and trauma-informed psychosocial support for LGBTQI people facing rights violations; phone is also WhatsApp. Especially relevant since the March 2025 re-criminalization ruling.
HIV / sexual health: Medical Research Foundation of Trinidad & Tobago (MRFTT) (national)
+1-868-623-5834 · mrftt.org
Largest HIV treatment and care clinic in the English-speaking Caribbean, at 7 Queens Park East, Port of Spain; provides free medical, ART, lab, pharmacy and counselling services (including men's, women's and evening clinics). Open Mon–Fri 6:30am–2:30pm.
HIV / sexual health: Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) (national)
+1-868-623-4764 · www.ttfpa.org
IPPF-member sexual and reproductive health org at 79 Oxford Street, Port of Spain; provides confidential SRH, STI/HIV testing and counselling and has advocated for PrEP access. Call/WhatsApp 868-292-3411.
HIV / sexual health: AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) — Trinidad and Tobago (international-serving-this-country)
www.aidshealth.org/global/trinidad-and-tobago
International HIV org partnering locally with MRFTT to expand HIV/STI prevention, testing and treatment 'regardless of ability to pay'; a useful access point for free testing and care referrals for visitors.
Crisis helpline: Lifeline Trinidad and Tobago (national)
+1-868-800-5588 · befrienders.org/find-support-now/lifeline-trinidad-and-tobago
Free, confidential 24/7 telephone counselling and suicide-prevention helpline for anyone in emotional distress in Trinidad and Tobago; a non-stigmatizing first point of contact for crisis support.
access-general: Equal Opportunity Commission Trinidad and Tobago (national)
equalopportunity.gov.tt
Statutory body administering the Equal Opportunity Act 2000. Handles disability discrimination complaints in employment, goods, services, and accommodation. Primary formal redress channel for all disability communities in T&T.
access-general: National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) (national)
ncpd.charity.tt
Non-governmental organisation in San Fernando that rehabilitates and empowers persons with disabilities; phone (868) 652-4880, Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm.
access-deaf: Trinidad and Tobago Association for the Hearing Impaired (TTAHI) (national)
www.ttahi.org
Statutory organisation serving Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons from 13C Wrightson Road, Woodbrook; phone (868) 623-0613.

Identity-Specific Guidance

Trans Women

Highest violence risk; no legal recognition; some community support

Trans women face the most acute safety challenges of any LGBTQ+ group in Trinidad. No legal gender recognition exists, meaning identity documents will not match gender presentation. Trans women, particularly those in sex work, report physical violence, police harassment, and social exclusion. The cross-dressing provisions are no longer criminal following the Jones ruling, but social hostility persists. I Am One and Silver Lining Foundation provide trans-specific support and health services in Port of Spain. Gender-affirming healthcare is extremely limited; hormones may be available through private practitioners but no gender clinic exists. Trans women travelers should remain in tourist zones, use authorized transportation, and contact I Am One or CAISO for current safety information before traveling.

Trans Men

Low visibility; no recognition framework; limited healthcare

Trans men are largely invisible in Trinidadian public discourse and face less targeted violence than trans women. Those who pass consistently will encounter minimal targeted risk as tourists. However, document discrepancies remain a concern at immigration, hotels, and police interactions. No testosterone or gender-affirming surgical care is established locally. The tropical climate (24-34C year-round, high humidity) should be considered for binding safety. Carry all medications with prescriptions. Silver Lining Foundation may be able to connect trans men with sympathetic healthcare providers.

Gay Men

Trinidad and Tobago's courts recriminalized 'buggery' in 2025, restoring penalties for sex between men.

After a 2018 decriminalization was reversed on appeal, the buggery law is again in force. Avoid public displays; the legal climate has worsened.

Lesbian & Bi Women

The buggery law centers men, but Trinidad's 'serious indecency' provisions have historically reached women, and the 2025 reversal hardened the climate.

For lesbian and bi women, risk is family and social plus renewed legal hostility. The male-focused statute is not a guarantee of safety.

Nonbinary Travelers

No legal or cultural framework; Carnival offers temporary gender fluidity

Nonbinary identities have no recognition in Trinidadian law or mainstream culture. The gender binary is rigidly enforced outside of Carnival, where gender performance is temporarily liberated. Androgynous or visibly gender-nonconforming presentation will attract attention and potentially hostile reactions in daily life. During Carnival season, gender nonconformity is more readily accepted as part of the festival context. At all other times, presenting consistently with document markers minimizes friction. CAISO has begun incorporating nonbinary visibility in its advocacy, but cultural awareness remains minimal.