ABOUT BACK CHAT
CAISO: Sex and Gender Justice in Trinidad and Tobago has partnered with Bocas Lit Fest since 2017 to organise a space to celebrate Caribbean LGBTQI+ writing and writers. This event is usually been held during the Bocas Lit Fest as an evening event with music and dancing featuring a mix of well-known local and diaspora writers and performers.
We call this event “BackChat” in honour of the groundbreaking Caribbean LGBT literary readings held in New York over 20 years ago – and as a way to continue showcasing and celebrating Caribbean diverse genders and sexualities.
CAISO has a number of exciting activities in stream to continue celebrating Caribbean LGBTQI+ voices – writers and artists – throughout the year!
Stay Tuned to our socials or contact us to get involved!
BACK CHAT 2023
Telling Our Stories: Celebrating Caribbean LGBTQI+ Voices
Sizzling Lineup | 2023 Programme
- Introduction & Host welcome – Velvet
(Phillipe Alexander) - CAISO Welcome – Johannah Rae-Reyes and Kellog Nkemakolam
- Tamara Ali (she/her) – “Red Like Love”
- Zon (they/them) – Monologue
- Chinyere (she/they) – Poem
- Andre Bagoo (he/him) – Poem
- Shivanee Ramlochan (she/her) – Poem
- Angelique V. Nixon (she/her) – Poem
- That Couple By The Bar (band) – She’s Homeless (Jamette version)
- Kwasi Shade (they/them) – “Is Love”
- Megan Gill (she/her) – “Cross The Sea”
- Terrence Bhagwansingh (he/him) – The Sequel
- Cherisse Berkeley – What a life to live
- Alexander Johnson (he/him) – “Tea Plate”
- Elysse Marcelin – Poem
- Deneka Thomas (they/them) – Spoken Word
- Adam Lowe (he/him/they) – Poem
- Ackeem Mohammed, cruz alex, alien – Belly Dance Performance
- Mizzz Understood – Drag Performance
- Simmy d Trini (she/her) – Comedy Performance
- Vote of Thanks – Angelique V. Nixon and Johannah-Rae Reyes
- Closing Remarks – Velvet (Phillipe Alexander)
Curation Team
- Shivanee Ramlochan
- Johannah Rae-Reyes
- Angelique V. Nixon
- Shaden Alexander
Partner Organisations
- NGC Bocas Lit Fest
- CAISO: Sex and Gender Justice
- NovelNiche
BACKCHAT 2023 GALLERY
WATCH BACKCHAT 2022
BACKCHAT MEMORIES
