Activist Jason Jones is painfully aware that Thursday’s ground-breaking Supreme Court ruling which overturned this country’s sodomy law would engender backlash for the local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community.

For him, it was a foregone conclusion.

“I have already had reports of somebody’s car being vandalised,” he said in an interview on Friday at the Drink and Wine Bar, Woodbrook.

“I think we have to emphasise security for our community because we are a minority community and very vulnerable.”

Jones called on acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams and, indeed, the TT Police Service, to “catch up with this (backlash) as it’s ongoing.

“So, I do implore the acting commissioner of police to instruct his officers to be aware of the issue and the fact that LGBT people are at a higher risk of violence. I think we all have to be on guard for any unfortunate incidents that may occur. It’s sad but transformation does not happen without this. With growth comes this.”

Jones, who prefers to be called a human rights defender, also envisages a role for faith-based leaders, non-governmental organisations and other civic bodies in promoting calm.

“I call on the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church (Jason Gordon) and the leaders of other faith-based organisations to ask their members to please treat us with respect and kindness. That has to be done. It has to come from them.”

He added: “This is an historic moment for human rights. It is the last civil rights issue for this country. We can now truly say that we are a callaloo country, a rainbow country and here every creed and race has finally found an equal place. It’s their voices. I cannot call for calm. I am the focus of the hate.”

So concerned was Jones about the vandalism, he declined to reveal to Sunday Newsday the venue of a celebration which members of the community were hosting on Friday night. Read more via Newsday