Date of Award

Fall 12-2017

Degree Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs

Committee Chair

Tom Lansford

Committee Chair Department

Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs

Committee Member 2

Bob Pauly

Committee Member 2 Department

Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs

Committee Member 3

Douglas Bristol

Committee Member 3 Department

History

Abstract

This thesis explores the relationship between British colonial influence and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights in the Caribbean. Comparing the Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory, and Jamaica, an independent former colony of the United Kingdom, the situation for LGBT people is evaluated. While Jamaica has serious abuses and a concerning situation for the human rights of LGBT people, the Cayman Islands’ LGBT community’s position is far less concerning. Owing to its continued connection to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Cayman Islands’ LGBT rights situation is much less dire. Through British influence via funding of human rights initiatives, the use of orders-in-council to alter local law in the territory, the application of European court rulings, British control of the police force, and other factors, the United Kingdom’s connection to the British Overseas Territories such as the Cayman Islands has helped to spread its human rights agenda to these territories.

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