IN St. Lucia and the rest of the Caribbean, merely mentioning the name of someone who is well known to be gay could cause people, mostly men to angrily end a conversation or trigger name calling and foul language.
In actuality, homosexuality is a topic that continues to generate hate and division, as well as to spark extreme violence around the world.
Well, right here in St. Lucia, one FITC knows all too well what can happen to you if you are gay.
Donavan Monerville is a flamboyant and larger than life individual who truly understands what it means to appreciate life.
Being a gay man in predominantly Christian St. Lucia that is highly intolerant of homosexuality and where buggery is a crime, one can understand why Monerville sees the small things in life, like the freedom to move around in public, using public transportation and simply existing, as a luxury.
The “little boy from Dennery”, as he calls himself, took the brave step by opening up to The VOICE and giving us a look into his life, showing the injustices that he has faced every day because of something that he never had any choice or control over.
Despite his hardship, Monerville has gracefully risen above his woes and has even used them as the nudge he needed to succeed…throughout it all, he remains fun, happy and positive to this day.
The VOICE: Tell me about your childhood and what life was like for you growing up.
Donavan: My childhood was a fabulous one. I grew up getting the love and support of my mom, my brothers and sister. I wasn’t the football type…I was more into the dolls and nail polishes and anything pink and girly (laughs). I had a normal and beautiful life as a child but as I got older and had to leave home for school a lot changed, not in the home but with outsiders.
The VOICE: At what age did you realise that you were “different” from other boys?
Donavan: Realizing that I wasn’t a normal boy or was different from the other boys happened in infant school. I was never one who enjoyed what other guys did.
The VOICE: Just using the word “different” to describe you, how does that make you feel?
Donavan: I hate when people use different to describe me…ugh, it sends me up a wall because like I said after all, I’m human and a beautiful one at that (laughs)
The VOICE: When you were certain about your sexuality, what was life like for you?
Donavan: When I first realised that I was attracted to guys, I become a different person. I tried really, really hard to fight it off, battled with it internally and always thought that I wasn’t worth it. And a lot of people helped me in making feel like I was nothing. My rescue was books and the only place I felt safe and complete was in my room.
The VOICE: What was the reaction of your family and friends when you revealed your sexuality to them?
Donavan: My family always knew I was gay…I’ve always been that flamboyant guy so there was nothing to tell them. However making friends was very difficult which was ok because the true divas always loved me. My friends were always girls…not just any girls, but the true divas.
The VOICE: It is no hidden fact that homosexuality is heavily frowned upon in St. Lucia…how difficult was it for you to live in this kind of society?
Donavan: Being gay in St. Lucia is one of the hardest and most challenging things ever. Every day you step out of your house, you have to be prepared to be made fun of, ridiculed and sometimes even get hit with stones and bottles. You need to be a warrior. If you are gay and weak, St. Lucians can kill you or drive you to kill yourself.
The VOICE: What was the worst form of discrimination you ever had to endure here?
Donavan: I’ve faced every form of discrimination that you can think of. I’ve been put off buses, I’ve been spat up on, ridiculed, bottled, stoned, you name it and I’ve been through it. I remember once I was on a bus to Rodney Bay, sitting on the seat right behind the driver next to the window and the people behind me kept whispering. The next minute I felt this really hard knock to the back of my head and a burst of laugher from the passengers. I turned to see who had hit me and it was a Rastafarian guy. He said: “If you open your mouth there, I stabbing you in your neck with that scissors!” and he showed me the scissors. Instead of the passengers telling the man to stop all they did was laugh and ridicule me. I’ve also been turned down for jobs because I’m gay.
The VOICE: With all this going on, did you ever feel adequately protected by the laws of the land and law enforcement?
Donavan: I never truly felt protected by the lawmen. You would go and make reports as a gay person and most times, they would never follow up on it.
The VOICE: All of this negativity, surely it had to have a major impact on your life, how have you been affected by the way you have been treated in the past?
Donavan: I’ve been affected because I was never truly at ease. I would be walking around with that constant fear and mentally it messes you up.
The VOICE: Speaking of relationships, what was your first relationship like and over the years, how easy or difficult was it for you to find suitable partners in St. Lucia?
Donavan: My first relationship was magical. It was good to finally feel wanted and appreciated by someone who wasn’t my mom. After my first relationship dating wasn’t difficult at all. I never had an issue with finding someone to date. Now if you were to ask me if they were genuine? I guess not.
The VOICE: Do you ever wish that you were not gay and if so, looking at your life now, would you change your sexuality if you had a chance to do it?
Donavan: There have been times where I wished I wasn’t gay, where I felt dirty and I just hated myself. There have also been times where I would just want to die…I even tried taking my own life. I felt like a mistake, a disappointment. I still feel
That way today sometimes, but I’m learning to love and accept myself and be happy with who I am.
The VOICE: Looking at your life today, what kind of person would you say you have turned into?
Donavan: Looking at my life today, I would say that I’ve done fairly well despite all what I’ve been through. I have a successful career as a make-up artiste, I’ve gotten myself qualified in what I love doing and I always try my best no matter how hard it is to keep a positive mindset
The VOICE: Today, there are hundreds or even thousands of young people in St. Lucia who are either struggling with their sexuality or they are living fearfully and uncomfortably “in the closet” what advice would you give to these young people to help them not only cope but to love and appreciate themselves?
Donavan: For persons who are struggling with their sexuality, I would advise them to first love and accept who they are…try to be happy and comfortable. I know it’s easier said than done but just take it one day at a time, talk to someone you trust and pray. Prayer will help and strengthen you, for God loves all of us…gay or not.
The VOICE: Finally, what would you like to say to all the people who have and continue to hate and discriminate against you because of your sexuality?
Donavan: To the people who hate and discriminate against me and continue to do so, I just want to say a huge thanks because if it wasn’t for them, then I wouldn’t want to push myself to be successful. If it wasn’t for their hate, I wouldn’t really accept myself… it’s because of all what they do and say that gives me the strength to keep moving and proving them wrong. I want them to remember that life is a cycle, what goes around comes around.
Stay strong and keep loving yourself young man. The haters are on the WRONG side of history – evolution will deal with them.
From what I’ve read I believe that you are a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. We didn’t make the heaven and the earth, we are all on this earth just for a matter of time. And judgement day will come for all these wicked men upon this earth. Donavan just remember that u are not livin for noone but you, as long as u are comfortable in your skin and that you love yourself and that u believe and trust in the lord you are good. Just keep being you although it might be tough but that’s the only way you are going to be happy my boy. Be bless and God is love.
WOW! VERY VERY WELL ANSWERED QUESTIONS. YOU BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. KEEP SOARING BOO
I hope you can say the same when God will question him on judgement day. Illiterate fool
Who is god u bigger illetrate fool. You think the white men who rejected and killed your ancestors gave you a bible to share heaven with them.lady jesus borgia is all made up. Get up and read a book in history. Ur god will never come because u the bigger fool. Fool!
Honestly people just needs to mind their own business even gays too dont get mixed into the wrong crowd not every can digest all food religion culture schools firms organizations all have their differences that divide us st lucians we should just live our lives safely and wisely avoiding the divisions, find the right people to associate yourself with those that are willing to accept you and ignore the critics your rights for living comes from your mentality it all depend how much you appreciate your life, which brings you to this point today, there is a time and place for everything just be patient, generally we all need to because we all face challenges from religion to politicians but life will create its home for all slowly but sure so as a human being preserve your life till that time dont rush it be humble wait, watch, pray as life unfolds itself, i would not know how to relate to the full situation physically but the mental part of being a human being having to be treated badly by the same flesh with just a different belief in thinking i can relate, Give thanks for life appreciate it and stay out of trouble’s way is the solution until your crowd is complete where you will need not worry about depending on people that judges human beings about their personal and private lives and this relates to all of us out there. Dont hold back from socializing there must be persons who are of your interest and if not you move on to the next if a trouble you be sure to just report it and avoid trying to be judgmental even to those that ignorant of your truth let God be your revenge through legal action and the conformation of life which is soon evolving into a generation of no condemnation, let us all be wise and not fight against what we ourselves are not even sure of as yet which is life.
No wonder there are so many crimes in St. Lucia. Everyday murders are being reported. Why don’t the media take time to reflect on that instead. Y’all are very ignorant and stupid to follow the USA pattern. St. Lucia is a small island that stands on its own with no back bone. The US has back bone. Its a big country. When the explosion took place last week, the news reported it as ground zero. How stupid of y’all. There is no comparison to what happened here on 09/11/2001, to what happened in St. Lucia. Think! Stupid! Do you see the US copying what St. Lucia does? The answer is no. Talk bout Gay rights my foot. This is abomination. It is wrong. Stop looking for fame for this young man. What example and what message is he sending out to our young men and women? Is it okay to be gay? I guess sooner or later from now, Gay marriage will be legalized in St. Lucia. Focus on jobs for the young people. Stop reporting shit . Get real. Educate y’all damn selves. Y’all can’t even speak properly. So sad , very sad.
word bro!!!
Too many gays and mentally retards here.
Then you should migrate. Oh wait, the gays and mentally “retards” like yourself are every where. Please shut up.
Very inspiring interview. I am a lesbian. Tho it is hard here in St. Lucia I continue 2 be myself, I jus laugh when people try to get me down. They don’t understand us, and I don’t blame them because no1 educates them about us. We are a minority community. Stay strong love life LGBT community. 1 day the world will understand we have no control of who we. LOVE ME FOR WHO I AM NOT FOR WHO I LOVE
I pray that you will know that there are also people in this world who choose not to judge you but instead simply love you! Love is greater than hate!
It is still wrong in the eyes of the Lord.
I take it you have never done wrong in the eyes of the Lord. I would like to remind you that God created everything in heaven and on earth. The lesson you are missing that’s being presented to you by God is to love your neighbour as you love yourself. And ye without sin, cast the first stone. I take it, you can’t throw a grain of sand…
Oh, that’s right… The Lord came down to inform you that it is wrong in his eyes. Is there something you want to reveal, The Truth? Maybe you should tell ‘The Truth’ about yourself.
Young man or woman please be very careful what you say….you never ever ever make fun of anyone…you never know where you or your children or family may be especially people who are mentality challenge….are you kidding me…please put your knees down and ask the Lord you believe in for forgiveness…judgement is for him not for you or me…you may be walking across the road today and a car pick you up and you can be a vegetable for life…my dear I pray the Lord have mercy on people like you…NOT NICE TO SAY AT ALL
The same Lord said “Thou shall not judge”
Yes it is absolutely wrong
It is a sad fact to see clearly that as a result of broken homes and families (no father figure and no one to teach a young boy what it means to be a man)the level of confusion disorientation and psychological trauma that a child can go through, now he is thinking he is a woman. Clearly not a case for throwing stones neither is there any reason to applause but rather to chant a cause for mental rehabilitation.
It is sad the ripples of an unpresent dad and the outcome resulting from moms although loving, yet they are not strong enough to play double roles.
There are gay men and women who come from homes with both parents present. So I don’t get the point about teaching a young boy to be a man. What exactly does that mean?
I take it you have never done wrong in the eyes of the Lord. I would like to remind you that God created everything in heaven and on earth. The lesson you are missing that’s being presented to you by God is to love your neighbour as you love yourself. And ye without sin, cast the first stone. I take it, you can’t throw a grain of sand…
I understand you perfectly however since you brought up the issue of sin due to your God consciousness i will add as much as I am sinful..there should never be a reason for sin to be celebrated.. rather instead there is a call for repentance, at no matter what capacity..
My point also in reference to family structure is simply this although it is true that gay people do come from families where there is a male and female present.. Yet let us not forget our popular phrase “sperm donors”. There is a male present yet still a dysfunctional family.. We underestimate the psychological repercussions of broken homes and families. Again even more serious when a man think he is a female
Well said Jack
Please u all need 2 remove from religion rigmaroles and come to the truth it is to much of that bull call religion that have people hating each other because of their SEXUALLY
Gay persons are more LOVING and more caring for family and friends than the straight.
if the so-call bible is anything to hold on to why should we still judge other because it state God made male and female in his own image and likeness
A little bit of research will help us understand the life of the gay person.
Sexually is built into the brain. It is not just shaped by emotional experience and sustained by the trickle of hormones from the sexual glands. Male and female brains are different.
The ovaries of the masculinised female fail to mature and she generally conducts herself like a male.. Manhood has to assert itself in the normal development of the male brain. the tendency in mammal is such that if nothing intervenes in the form of male hormones the brain will be female. In human beings the sex of the brain is fixed before birth.
NOTE : precisely what happens in the brain to establish its sexuality is not known to science. The most likely regions where the permanent changes occur lie deep in the brain: the so-called medial preoptic areas and the medial amygdala.
This in itself is to complex for the average person to understand.
so a good study of animals beaver is a good place to start.
gay or straight bisexual or whatever love each other love is the key to all human links. one blood human blood can’t mix with animal u can’t give an animal blood transfusion u can’t breed with an animal so we are all HOMO SAPIENS. CREATED BY A CREATOR.
The Almighty says he loves the SINNER he dislikes the SIN
Yes we all know all sin is sin
i personally have asked myself why people are born this way. dont understand. i use to feel really uncomfortable around gays, but when you have an understanding of the bible then it help you treat people better and act better. i have taught myself to accept persons choices and not to judge one’s life choices. so Donovan you have been through a lot because of mankind ignorance. my advice to you fall on your knees and pray. our lord he is the only one who will love you and accept you as you are
I love you Donnie…Keep your your head up and NEVER stop being you… YOU ROCK!
King James Version (KJV)
13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Understood
please say and quote your king james u are so full of ?
your king james was gay yes gay !
from your pope to the pastors / priest every one are gay the
the roman CATHOLIC CHURCH 4 EXAMPLE ?
Yep. We’ve all heard that Leviticus is where the Bible straight-up says that homosexual behavior is an abomination. And yes, it does. It also says that homosexuals should receive the death penalty (!!!). It also says the same thing about eating pork or shellfish, charging interest on loans, and a whole bunch of other restrictions that were a part of the Old Testament Law Code. But for Christians, the Old Testament doesn’t (dare I say “shouldn’t?”) settle any issue because Romans 10:4 says that Christ is the end of the law. Which is probably why most Christians today eat meat, use credit cards, wear makeup, and support equality for women. Because, as Hebrews 8:13 says, the old law is obsolete and aging.
BRAIN-WASH RELIGION DOGMA’S
THE bible say women love big dicks love the men with long and big pricks
and those that have plenty heat like the horse balls.
your god say in the bible that he marry two sister ahole-la and ahole-aba but there went fu*****ing with other men because their love the big and long dicks ( read your bible and u will find it. ) ?
bull and more bull brain washing religion fanatics .
Being gay is a crime so all gay man shall be executed
To All Those That Beating their %*# There uselessly…. Pay Chew Zorr!!!!! Leh ih kar bull ep fess lii ih Kar Fer’ih Tia chew zor Lar…. Choopz✋✋ when God come not urll tthatt standing up before him! Let ppl live their %*# life Mehhn… Urll really Need to chill! I Cahh stick Them Fuckin ignorant Lucians! Self-centered pricks!