The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has ruled laws that criminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations in the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia are unconstitutional.
Two sections of the country’s criminal code specifically banned “gross indecency” and “buggery,” allowing for up to ten years in prison as punishment.
A Saint Lucia court struck down laws that had criminalized same-sex relations in the Caribbean island nation with up to a decade behind bars. https://t.co/RClbQkx7HZ
— NBC Out (@NBCOUT) July 30, 2025
From NBC News:
A ruling from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, headquartered in Saint Lucia’s capital Castries, said two sections of the country’s criminal code that banned “gross indecency” and “buggery” were unconstitutional, according to rights groups.
The Caribbean nations of Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Kitts and Nevis all struck down similar laws prohibiting gay sex in 2022, and Dominica also decriminalized same-sex acts last year.
Though Trinidad and Tobago was among the first Eastern Caribbean nations to decriminalize gay sex in 2018, it reversed this decision in March of this year. Much of the region still imposes lengthy prison sentences.
While enforcement of such laws is rare, rights activists say they contribute to widespread stigmas and harassment.
The Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE), a group of local rights groups, lauded the decision on social media.
ECADE celebrates this historic win affirming the dignity of LGBTQ+ people in Saint Lucia, the fourth major victory in our regional legal challenge, following Antigua & Barbuda (June 2022), St. Kitts and Nevis (August 2022) , and Barbados (December 2022). ️⚖️ pic.twitter.com/pOwaHhVYRs
— ECADE (@EC_Equality) July 29, 2025
Tally of nations with anti-homosexuality laws drops to 64 as Caribbean court strikes down St. Lucia’s anti-sodomy law#LGBT #LGBTQ #LGBTrights #humanrights #LGBTQrights #homophobia #StLucia #Caribbean @EC_Equality
LINK IN REPLY pic.twitter.com/dJOekuCcwP
— 76Crimes (@76Crimes) July 30, 2025
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