By Jessica Lewis, News Editor
A homosexual Haitian was Skyped by the Pride Network and the African Caribbean Society as a part of the Multicultural Week. The event, called ‘The Hide and Seeks of Being Gay in the Caribbean,’ took place on Thursday, April 14.
“We actually developed a ‘Hide and Seek’ of being a homosexual in the Caribbean,” said the African Caribean Society president Maureen Fermin-Cabera, “we developed a power point explaining the history behind it…why there is so much hatred of homosexuals in the Caribbean.”
The homosexual, David, was located through the Pride Network. Operations director and founder of the chapter at the University, Christian Fuscarino, said “We found him in the Pride Network – we have our sources, we have our network and we are able to find someone who is homosexual in Haiti.” David is currently not openly homosexual, which is why his last name was not shared in the event.
The event had about 40 people in attendance according to Fuscarino. “We were able to Skype him in, and onto a projector screen and individuals could ask him questions on what it is like to be gay in the Caribbean,” Fuscarino said.
“The only time he ever told anyone [he was homosexual] was when he visited New York,” Fuscarino said. “We asked if there were any laws that openly condemn homosexuality and there is not, but there is a lot of homophobia that exists and he has to put on a masculine personality.”
Fermin-Cabera explained that the hatred towards homosexuals in the Caribbean is a part of the entire culture and music. Being openly gay in the Caribbean is a large risk, it is like taking a chance with their life, according to Fermin-Cabera.
David and his family survived the earthquake in Haiti because they are rich and able to live in a nice home, according to Fuscarino.
“Right now he is living in a house with 5 families so it is even harder for him to be comfortable with who he is,” Fuscarino said, “and when he Skyped us he was at a friends house and he is not out to the friend, he was borrowing his computer.”
Fermin-Cabera explained theat she thought the event was wonderful. She said the people in attendance were very interactive during the Skype session and the open forum as well. People also shared some of their personal accounts, and members of the audience were of Caribbean decent and also have family in the Caribbean.
“This is the first time a student group [at Hofstra] has ever used Skype for a way to communicate with people who can broaden students perspectives of what it is like outside of the United States,” Fuscarino said.