Earlier this month, Guyanese-born 27-year-old fashion designer and talented stylist Anthony Singh was hoping to find a puppy, asking his numerous friends on social media for “Any help besides for those lame adoption pages on Facebook. ”
A week later, on the night of April 13, Anthony would be found face down on the floor, apparently stabbed to death in his bedroom of the small apartment he shared with two others, in a modest house , pink-pink with candy-stripe awnings along Amethyst Drive, El Dorado, in the populated Tunapuna-Piarco Region that includes Trinidad and Tobago’s 19-closed international airport. The crowded town is about 9 miles or about 15 kilometers east of the Port of Spain, the capital.
Nearly two weeks later, and no one has yet been held for killing the smiling young man, despite photos of a camera from the area, with investigations officially underway and inquiries met with silence terrible, provoking a justifiable concern that this crime will inevitably eventually be forgotten by the authorities, like another countless Trinidad massacre. The flood of public tributes from loving friends, admirers, relatives, clients and supporters, is marked by apparent confusion, anger, grief, horror and even fear over who might have killed him and why.
It was at the nearby airport that the quiet, young Guyanese, with the small frame, agile waist, loud laughter and big heart, arrived permanently from his Demerara East Coast village, Mon Repos years ago, trying to follow his dreams for a different, nicer life in the fast twins. Anthony would make friends easily, becoming a valuable part of the extended Trinidad clan that was moving further and taking him in, and supporting his courageous activism as an increasingly confident and proud member of the LGTBQIA (Lesbian fringe, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer). , Intersex, Asexual) community.
Whether playing at the Carnival, taking part in gay rights parades, enjoying musical chairs, birthdays and beach legs with the extended family, he was able to laugh and live, visibly at home, posting, “I’m in Love with the young man I’m coming! Cheers to grow !! “Even as an ally back in Guyana, he warned,” Progress is breeding an enemy, stay awake. ” The luxury fashion night of January 29, 2017 at St Joseph’s Community Center showcasing his superb compositions, seemed a remarkable achievement for the unknown immigrant who turned into an emerging designer in a unique sector that has always been competitive and close-knit.
Anthony was fun but worked hard too, especially improving his lot, crafting fine gowns of sequins, silks and chiffons, behind the ever-busy sewing machine; train dot models how to sashay in the draped stocks on and off the catwalk, and offer stunning hair and face transitions that resulted in repeat customers and glowing directions. But most of all, he tried to find himself, and be comfortable with the consummate result, because Anthony Singh was also a rather complex, evolving figure with many names and personalities whether as the beautiful, yet tortured soul of Guyana, Latchman Singh; creative artist Marcus Anthony Singh; the classy couturier, Marc Anthony; bold drag queen Maria Venus Raj or the photogenic social media contributor hanging out with her adopted mother and extended relatives for the world to see in that.caribbeanboi.
The black frame sign outside his home, which offers “Tailoring, Makeup ‘n’ Wedding Service,” is neatly pinned to the rusty internal security barrier behind the main iron gates decorated with the protective design “Aum”, the sacred Indian religious, symbol in ancient Devanagari script found in Hindu homes and institutions All mantras begin with “Aum” because devotees believe that it marks the launch of the cosmic creation, and the sacred texts relate, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was “Aum.”
The woman whose Trinidadian mother called Shamela Resal cried when she heard the horrific news, lamenting, “What this country is coming to – so sad is really hurting that I will not see you again, you want it dear. Love your son, gone too soon may your soul RIP. “Across in neighboring Guyana, his biological mother” Pinky “Bibi Zabeeda Kassim watched and screamed as his siblings summoned the courage to tell her.” Remote “Pinky” repeated, “We need justice” for a loving son , caring and humble Anthony didn’t deserve to die like this, he told the media, urging Trinidadian police to find his boy’s killer.
Days ago, the Advocacy Coalition for Sexual Orientation Inclusion (CAISO): Gender Justice and Gender declared that he was “saddened and raped by the murder of Marc Anthony Singh,” calling him a great performer, artist and designer. “He deserved to live in peace and love and not be a victim of violence,” the organization said in a statement. Highlighting the many unsolved murders of LGBTI + persons, he expressed concern at the alarmingly low conviction rates in Trinidad and Tobago that allow criminals to continue their attacks on the most vulnerable damage, calling on the police to launch a thorough investigation and justice. to Anthony and all those murdered.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Miss Supranational National Director, Stephen Jones, was outspoken. “Marc, we’ve missed you. Not all of us have done enough to ensure that, even in your final hours – you would know for sure that justice will be served. The truth is, justice appearing in this country is reserved for the elite and chosen. “
Bindi Masala, Drag Queen, based overseas, recalled an online inspiration exchange with Marc Anthony / Maria Venus Raj who “educated me about the struggles of being a Drag Queen and an LGBTQIA person in Guyana (a) Trinidad and Tobago where LGBTQIA people have to live in constant fear, ”but“ Despite all that, they were proud of their Caribbean Indian heritage and it was showing in their Drag that was empowering. ”
C-DAG: Caribbean Drag Around the World, noted that Marc Anthony / Maria Venus Raj wanted to perform in New York City and star in what would have been the first issue of Caribbean Drag Race. “Maria was a Guyanese citizen living in Trinidad and Tobago after Guyana became dangerous to her. One of his first stages to perform internationally was Caribbean Drag Around the Globe. “
North American activists Ryan Persadie and Mohamed Q. Amin are collaborating with others through the Caribbean Equality Project to raise money to support Anthony’s family in related funeral costs and to return his body to Guyana. Mr Persadie makes “some tributes in the name of the unholy violence that Raj has faced.” As of yesterday, they had collected US $ 2869 from the US $ 3500 target, from 61 international contributions.
Last year, the pair interviewed 18 regional-based drag artists who shared perspectives on the meaning and urgency of work with the Caribbean Equality Project. Maria Venus Raj claimed, “In Trinidadian politics, it is sad that LGBTQ rights continue to be characterized as taboo. Two years after the buggery law was challenged, hatred, ridicule and discrimination are still prevalent in society. Being able to free myself and inspire many people to live their true lives [is important]. When I’m on stage, performing or doing a photoshoot, nothing but joy, confidence and happiness exists in me. Unfortunately, it’s something I can’t do full-time in Trinidad because of the negative public opinion and the consequences that come with it. ”
ID reads the comment from Marc Anthony US $ 25 funeral fund contributor who admitted, “I don’t have much but I have to give something. My deepest condolences to the LGBTQ + family, friends and family as a whole. We have each other ❤ Rest in power. ”