Stronger Together II -Official Conference Communiqué

Stronger Together II – Collective Power Harnessed, A Solidarity-driven Recommitment to Human Rights for ALL

Kingston, June 4, 2026 – The second edition of “Stronger Together” held over the course of three (3) days from 21st to 23rd May, 2026 in Kingston Jamaica under the theme “Solidarity, Strategy and Collective action for LGBTQI movements” leveraged movement leaders, allies and experts to coordinate regional strategy and action to build community and re-affirm collective power.

Over fifty organizations from the Caribbean, Canada and the United States, together, took stock of key global and regional developments that shape the context in which further progress on human rights and equality should be made as a result of their activism, advocacy and leadership.

The conference utilized a structured and unique approach to its deliberations by considering available research, lived experience, implementation lessons, and expert insights to establish a common understanding and identify opportunities and challenges. The agenda was wide-ranging, yet relevant and focused: tabling among others, regional and international political trends, funding, and strategic approaches to re-position the movement. Beyond an information-sharing component, participants engaged in a consultative process to provide a path to strengthen solidarity. Alongside these sessions, the participants benefited from informative presentations from recent research, international advocacy instruments, and trauma-informed healing.

Leading by example, CariFLAGS, ILGA-NAC, and ECADE, demonstrated the power of collective action, pooling resources to optimize impact. Consequently, Stronger Together II expanded in inclusiveness as well as scale, convening a representative group of attendees across 16 nationalities, diverse in, among others: age, professional background, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation and gender-identity. This diversity extends to lived realities, whereby similar challenges may yet require appropriate, culturally resonant and unique responses.

At the conclusion of Stronger Together II, attendees are unified in an understanding that solidarity, collaboration, and alignment are essential to strengthen coherence; optimize and scale potential gains; share the burden and responsibility introduced by risks and vulnerabilities; as well as adopt and integrate efficient “work smart” approaches that reduce duplication, ensure synergy, and enable sustainability. Importantly, building a broader coalition for human rights and equality through cross-movement solidarity was emphasized as a priority.

Specifically, the conference delivered the movement the following output-level results:

  • Shared updated information pertinent to understanding the current regional context and operational environment
  • Building blocks for near and long-term planning that includes a shared agenda, risk assumptions, and a framework of results
  • A network of energized stakeholders, who share values and have re-committed to the principle of dignity, equality and human rights for all
  • A validated Caribbean-focused multi-country advocacy and communications strategy
  • Broadly supported solidarity principles, under the Programmatic Alignment, Collaboration and Transformation “PACT” Framework.

The co-conveners: CariFLAGS, ILGA-NAC, and ECADE are encouraged by these outputs, particularly the prospect of further developing a model that deliberately seeks togetherness and invites participation.

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About CariFLAGS

The Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS) is the legitimate voice of the Caribbean regional LGBTQ+ movement. We are a coalition of civil society groups dedicated to regional movement building and networking. Since its founding in 1997, CariFLAGS has provided leadership in articulating an indigenous lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) voice and agenda for the Caribbean. CariFLAGS is the Pan-Caribbean LGBTQ+ movement that increases synergy and participation of groups across the region as an effective collective.

w: cariflags.org | @cariflags – Instagram

About ILGA-NAC

ILGA NAC brings a tailored advocacy and support framework that respects and addresses the specific challenges faced by 2SLGBTQI+ communities in both North America and the Caribbean. This transition strengthens ILGA-NAC’s capacity to champion the rights and well-being of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals across a broader and more diverse geographic area, ensuring inclusive and effective advocacy efforts.

w: ilganac.org | @ilga_nac – Instagram

About ECADE

The Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality Inc, is an independent umbrella of human rights organisations operating in the small islands in the eastern Caribbean from the Virgin Islands to Grenada. The Alliance’s core membership comprises organisations representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community in the sub-region. Associate membership comprises organisations working intersectionally. ECADE currently serves twenty-seven organisations across nine countries.

w: ecequality.org | @ec_equality – Instagram

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