Jowelle De Souza makes history in Senate

FIRST TRANSGENDER SENATOR: Opposition Senator (Temporary) Jowelle De Souza during her contribution to Tuesday’s debate on the Summary Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2021. —Photo: Office of the Parliament

Activist Jowelle De Souza made history on Tuesday as the first transgender person to be appointed a senator. De Souza was appointed a temporary Opposition senator in place of Jayanti Lutchmedial, who was ill.

Shortly after De Souza took the oath, there was a tit-for-tat exchange between Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell and United National Congress (UNC) senators Anil Roberts and David Nakhid.

Senate President Christine Kangaloo had to caution members.

“Members, please. I have never had to caution members while this part of the proceedings is going on,” she said.

The oath-taking is usually the one part of the proceedings when members of Parliament are silent.

Credit: https://trinidadexpress.com/news/local/de-souza-makes-history-in-senate/article_75804196-8f9b-11ec-b451-cf198292941a.html