LGBTQIA activist Kwasi Dion Gill murdered in Trinidad, community demands justice
The body of LGBTQIA activist Kwasi Dion Gill was found on Lady Young Road on Sunday. Organisations including PrideTT, CAISO and FPATT are calling for a full investigation.
Tributes and calls for justice follow killing of LGBTQIA activist Kwasi Dion Gill
The murder of LGBTQIA activist Kwasi Dion Gill has drawn widespread calls for justice from organisations across Trinidad and Tobago, trinidadexpress.com reports. Gill's body was discovered on Lady Young Road on Sunday, hours after the Beetham resident failed to appear at a scheduled event and was reported missing.
Gill was widely known as both an activist and community figure. He was the founder of The King Initiative and DragBrunch TT, and served as Gender-Based Violence Case Manager at the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT).
PrideTT: "We are grieving. We are devastated. And we are angry."
In a statement issued Monday, PrideTT described Gill's killing as "brutal and senseless" and extended condolences to his family, friends and community. The organisation said Gill "was so much more than a familiar face within our community. He was a friend, mentor, an incredible dancer and performer, a visionary and someone who created spaces where others could be seen, celebrated and uplifted."
PrideTT said Gill poured his "creativity, energy and passion" into building community through his initiatives. The organisation issued a direct demand to authorities: "We call upon the relevant authorities to leave no stone unturned in investigating his murder and bringing those responsible to justice. Dion deserves answers. His family deserves answers. His friends deserve answers. Our community deserves answers."
PrideTT also warned against normalising violence: "We cannot continue becoming accustomed to murder," the organisation stated, adding that Gill's death must not become "simply another statistic."
FPATT recalls more than seven years of dedicated service
The Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago noted that Gill joined the organisation in January 2017 as a Peer Navigator/Educator. Over the course of more than seven years, he progressed through the roles of Youth Officer, Gender-Based Violence Case Liaison, and ultimately Gender-Based Violence Case Manager.
FPATT described Gill as someone "known for his profound empathy, compassion and dedication to advancing the well-being, protection and dignity of vulnerable individuals and communities." The organisation said his contribution "will be remembered" and extended condolences to his family, loved ones, former colleagues and all those mourning his loss.
CAISO and UCTRANS demand accountability
CAISO called Gill "a pillar in our community, someone who worked alongside countless people and organisations, always creating space for others to feel seen, heard, and supported." The organisation said he "showed up when it mattered, especially in times of need, offering his time, care, and presence without hesitation."
The United Caribbean Trans Persons Network (UCTRANS) joined in demanding "justice, accountability, and a full investigation into the killing of Kwasi Gill in Trinidad and Tobago." In its statement, UCTRANS called on the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to ensure the case receives "a prompt, thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation" and that those responsible are held accountable through due process.
UCTRANS said Gill's death must compel Caribbean governments to confront a broader reality — that "violence, discrimination, and hate against marginalized people cannot be treated as ordinary or inevitable."
Regional call for hate-crime legislation
Beyond the immediate investigation, UCTRANS issued a wider regional call to action. The organisation urged Caribbean governments to move beyond statements of concern and adopt "comprehensive hate-crime legislation that recognizes violence motivated by sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, sex characteristics, and other forms of prejudice."
UCTRANS also called for stronger protections for people who face violence because of their identity or perceived identity, as well as meaningful engagement with LGBTQIA organisations and human rights defenders.
"A human life has been lost. A family is grieving. A community is demanding answers," UCTRANS stated.
Source: Google News TT — Crime