Pride TT condemns the actions of the leader of the First Wave Movement, Umar Abdullah, in a video circulating on social media.
In a release on Saturday, Pride TT said the 'individuals' in the video were 'harassing an employee' in an attempt to intimidate the employees and 'deceive persons with fake information.'
In the video, Abdullah and a female colleague were seen in a bookshop holding the book I Am A Rainbow by Mark Kanemura, one of the books sold at RIK Services Ltd that told stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBT+) characters.
Abdullah said the books were not age appropriate and would be used to sexually groom children. He also told the employee the police should be called to investigate whenever a person buys the book.
The employee, later identified as RIK's general manager Mohan Baldeo, asked what was explicit about the book but the First Wave Movement members could not answer. He also assured them RIK operated within the parameters of the law.
Later, police could be seen speaking to people involved in the incident.
Although Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly confirmed none of the books would be on the school curriculum, many people on social media wondered if the book would be on the school booklist or complained they did not want their children to be exposed to the topic of gender or sexuality.
In a social media post on Wednesday, RIK responded to the situation saying, 'RIK Services Ltd has served the interests of the public for almost half a century and is delighted to continue to do so. We stand by our commitment to bookselling to all members of the public, regardless of gender affiliation or identity. We do not discriminate. We are a bookstore with one of the widest selections in TT that caters to the needs of our diverse population. We appreciate and respect all of our valued customers. All are welcome to our stores.'
Pride TT's release said false statements had been made by some religious leaders about the LGBT+ community and it believed those statements were part of a propaganda campaign to incite fear, violence, and increased discrimination against LGBT+ citizens.
'We ask that citizens have informed opinions on these issues and particularly about why these books matter but also the consequences of their actions on our nation's most vulnerable populations which includes children.
'PrideTT extends heartfelt gratitude for the work of RIK and other allies who are brave enough to stand with us against hatred and discrimination. In the spirit of inclusion, PrideTT is willing to work with any individual and group to resolve the misinformation being propagated.'
The organisation also urged people away from any words or action that may incite violence against members of any marginalised or vulnerable group and encouraged citizens to speak out against homophobia and discrimination.
Abdullah said RIK had a relationship with the LGBT+ community and therefore had LGBT+ clientele. But many of the LGBT+ books, not including I Am a Rainbow,
