Members of Saint Lucia’s LGBTQIA+ community, particularly those living with HIV (PLHIV), are bracing for the potential ripple effects of US policy changes under the Donald Trump administration. A local advocate is warning that proposed cuts to global HIV programmes could disrupt life-saving treatment for the island’s most vulnerable populations.
Jessica St Rose, founder of 758Pride, spoke to St Lucia Times about the mounting anxiety within the community, particularly among transgender individuals.
“They’re scared,” she explained. “Especially the trans community, who identify as another gender other than what they were born with. They don’t know where they stand right now. In Saint Lucia, we only recognise two genders, so it’s even harder for us.”
A primary concern is the potential freeze on funding that supports HIV treatment. Saint Lucia relies heavily on US aid to provide free medications to PLHIV. Cuts to the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund, which have been proposed by the Trump administration, could disrupt access to life-saving treatments.
Since its inception under President George W. Bush, PEPFAR has been credited with saving over 25 million lives worldwide. However, Trump’s proposed budget cuts would mark the largest-ever reduction in global HIV programmes. This follows previous attempts to slash PEPFAR funding by 17 per cent and halt hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the Global Fund.
St Rose lamented the uncertainty surrounding continued support under PEPFAR which helps extend HIV treatment to some 20 million people globally, including more than 550 000 children.
“Where are we going to get the money to fund these free medications coming in for our PLHIV?” she questioned.
St Rose cautioned that the policy shifts in the US could also have far-reaching effects beyond Saint Lucia, potentially impacting other Caribbean nations advancing toward more inclusive, gender-neutral policies.
“It will trickle down and change things for the LGBT community in a very drastic way,” she said.
The administration’s freeze on foreign aid has already caused significant disruptions. Reports indicate that HIV medications purchased with US funds are no longer being distributed to clinics in low-income countries. Appointments have been cancelled, and patients are being turned away, leaving many PLHIV facing life-threatening interruptions in their treatment.
For small island developing states like Saint Lucia, such disruptions could be catastrophic. As St Rose noted, a lack of alternative funding sources leaves the country’s HIV-positive population particularly vulnerable.
Countries should learn to live within their means. Saint Lucia will do a lot better if the corruption and mismanagement of the economy are curtailed. Trump is absolutely correct in focusing on the development and improvement of his country. Some parts of the US are at third world standards with crime and poverty out of control – all that while the US is wasting is hard earned taxpayer dollars overseas, trying to be the world police. A strong and wealthy US is what the world needs right now.
Have a back up plan in place as things will continue to change without notice with this new administration. I am not certain if the folk in the islands understand the severity of what is happening at this time. Godspeed
The enemy creates distractions to take our focus away from the true issue of our individual soul’s salvation. Jesus is coming…