ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Aug 13 2015 – Former News Anchor/Television Host and Miss Antigua and Barbuda 2007 Tasheka LaVann says she was forced to flee Antigua for fear of being harmed due to her sexual orientation.
“I have been attacked, threatened and humiliated by a homophobic society who only sees what they are taught and that is to hate anything and anyone who is different from what they deem to be the norm,” LaVann said in a press release on Thursday.
LaVann also points to flaws within the law enforcement system in Antigua.
“Sadly, this belief also runs deep in the institution responsible for protecting people in Antigua and Barbuda. I was laughed at when I reached out to the police for help when I was being threatened and stalked by a group that thought I didn’t deserve to exist because of my sexuality. This is what many people are dealing with across the Caribbean and the world,” she said.
LaVann who has launched a talk show on the social media site Youtube said the issues of bullying, self-hatred, HIV/AIDS discrimination, relationships, achieving goals and fitness will be discussed on her channel.
