Spotlight – Latoya Nugent

In celebration of Black History Month, we are shining a spotlight on an influential Black LGBTQI+ activist who is near and dear to our hearts, Latoya Nugent. 

Born and raised in Jamaica, Latoya is a former social science college educator and human rights advocate with over 20 years of experience in advocacy and activism. Jamaica, known for its vibrant culture, is also  a country where LGBTQI+ communities face discrimination, harassment and violence as a result of colonial-era laws and stigma. Amid this hostile environment, Latoya Nugent emerged as a powerful voice for marginalized women and the LGBTQI+ community. 

Growing up, Latoya  often struggled to reconcile her identity as a lesbian woman. However, upon discovering the LGBTQI+ community that existed in Jamaica, she aligned herself with organizations dedicated to promoting LGBTQI+ rights and formed powerful personal relationships that encouraged her to embrace her true identity. She gained the confidence to occupy more space and emerged as a leader in the Jamaican LGBTQI+ community. Through this process of self-discovery and empowerment, she affirmed her identity and became a trailblazer for others seeking to do the same.

Latoya fiercely advocated for LGBTQI+ rights and worked to integrate civic pride into Pride celebrations. Her goal was to educate members of the community about their rights, empower them to become their own advocates, and inspire them to lead by example. She was committed to expanding the scope of her work beyond sexual identity, to demonstrate that LGBTQI+ people could lead fulfilling lives as part of the broader Jamaican community . Her significant contributions to organizations like J-Flag and We Change made her one of Jamaica’s foremost activists, and her collaborations with local and global partners had a profound impact within her community.

As her work gained momentum, Latoya became the target of vicious backlash from those opposed to LGBTQI+ rights. She fearlessly spoke truth to power about powerful members of the church and the community, leading to her wrongful arrest and imprisonment 

Latoya’s arrest and imprisonment sparked outrage and drew international attention to the issue of LGBTQI+ rights in Jamaica. Human rights organizations condemned her imprisonment, stating that it was a violation of her right to free speech and an attempt to silence her advocacy. Her case also shed light on the prevalence of sexual violence in Jamaica and the ways people in positions of authority often abused their power. 

While her struggles undoubtedly sparked significant progress and transformation within the LGBTQI+ movement in Jamaica, she ultimately recognized the need to prioritize her mental health and seek freedom elsewhere. She was ultimately able to make a life-changing move to Toronto, where she continues to advocate for the rights of marginalized communities while also focusing on her own healing journey. She is currently an invaluable member of the Rainbow Railroad team.

As we celebrate Black History Month, we celebrate Latoya, a Black human rights defender and a community leader who continues to pave the path towards freedom and equity for all.