CAISO: Sex and Gender Justice

CAISO: Sex and Gender JusticeCAISO: Sex and Gender JusticeCAISO: Sex and Gender Justice

CAISO: Sex and Gender Justice

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The Colin Robinson Hard Head Award

Description & Purpose of the Award

Inspired by the fearless ways in which Colin Robinson uses creative imagination to speak out against injustice, CAISO: Sex and Gender Justice launched the inaugural Colin Robinson Hard Head Award on July 29, 2020, at a joint Bocas Lit Fest/CAISO Sex & Gender Justice event, The Treachery in Every Poem, to celebrate the poetry of Colin Robinson. 


The award seeks to recognize and honour exceptional leadership in transforming how others see and imagine the world, particularly in the spheres of Transformational Activism, Artistic Boldness and Meaningful Solidarity. The purpose of the annual Award is to support individuals working towards equity and justice for all, whose work – like Colin’s – connects political advocacy, creativity, and coalition building. 


Named for Colin Robinson’s 2016 book of poems, You Have You Father Hard Head, the Award celebrates Caribbean understandings of the phrase, “Hard Head”,  signifying persistence, stubbornness, relentlessness, and focus. These attributes, along with radicalism and resilience, are necessary for speaking out against power and how it is exercised, in the home, community, or by economic and political elites.


Colin passed away on March 4th, 2021 in Washington D.C. after a  protracted battle with cancer. Colin’s impact on how sexuality, gender,  power, and justice are articulated, experienced, and legislated within  the Caribbean was globally felt and recognised. Over the last 40 years,  Colin courageously led the conversation around how black and brown  people reclaim their queerness in spaces from which they are often shunned. This unfaltering courage led to his co-founding, leading and  facilitating several of the most influential LGBTI+ organisations and movements within the Caribbean, including CAISO.


The work of CAISO continues as we build upon Colin’s legacy and decades of coalition and movement building for human rights and  social justice. We awarded the 2020 inaugural award during an online ceremony on 21st November 2020, and Colin was with us to announce  the winner and honourable mentions. 

2022 Award Criteria

3rd Anual Award Criteria: This year’s award is open to young persons aged 18 to 35 living in Trinidad & Tobago, who:

  • Are engaged in activism for social change, promoting the values of human rights and justice;
  • Demonstrate transformative leadership and courage in their work/politics;
  • Demonstrate artistic boldness and creativity;
  • Are committed to organising with others on shared issues/concerns and building coalitions to effect social change;
  • Possess any of the following attributes: focus and clarity of vision and purpose, relentlessness, and/or resilience.


The nomination process is an open one, that is, anyone may nominate a candidate (nominators should inform the candidate), and candidates may nominate themselves.

Prospective nominators and nominees are asked to submit using the portal linked below. (CAISO team members are not eligible.)


Email info@caisott.org (Subject: 2022 Hard Head Award) if you have any questions. or need any help with the form.


Closing Date: 14th November 2022

Submit Here using the link below:

ONLINE SUBMISSION PORTAL

2022 - Call For Nominations!

Guidelines for Submission Portal Questions

Download PDF

2021 Hard Head Award Ceremony

Watch here

2020 Hard head award ceremony

Watch Here

Online Donation Link

DONATE through the Rustin fund
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