The Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago has decriminalised homosexuality, overturning laws that state anyone "who commits buggery is guilty of an offence".
The landmark decision came after a lawsuit was filed against the government in February of last year by local "human rights defender" Jason Jones, petitioning that Sections 13 and 16 of the Sexual Offences Act be overturned.
The high court agreed that Section 13, which criminalised gay sex, was unconstitutional, with Justice Devindra Rampersad saying: "The court declares that sections 13 and 16 of the [Sexual Offences Act] are unconstitutional, illegal, null, void, invalid and of no effect to the extent that these laws criminalise any acts constituting consensual sexual conduct between adults."
Jones, who moved to the UK after being disowned by his family for being gay, took to Twitter in celebration following the historic ruling.
"VICTORY!" he tweeted. "Thank you so much for everyone’s messages of support! WE DID IT! We found an EQUAL PLACE!!!
He continued: "My journey for the last few years all begins and ends this morning. I wish to thank all of you for your kindness and support!"
"I don’t wish to shove a gay agenda down [the public’s] throat or attack your morals, religion or spirituality," Jones said prior to the landmark win.
"I am doing this for the betterment of our nation, and for our future generations."
Trinidad and Tobago’s Attorney General, Faris al-Rawi, also celebrated the win, saying: "Our society has changed significantly in its view on tolerating homosexuality, and radically so within the last generation."
