| In the past decade, the LGBTQ Rights movement in Trinidad & Tobago (TT) gained national attention and advances in policymaking unlike previously seen. TT presents an interesting case to examine LGBTQ Rights given its British colonial history, which criminalized the gender and sexual fluidity practiced by pre-colonial cultures, and the ethnic and religious diversity of its population. This research investigates the factors influencing the expansion and contraction of LGBTQ Rights in TT. By drawing on the Institutional Design, Scope of Conflict, and Morality Politics literatures, I argue that these theories of policymaking play out differently in unitary systems such as TT than federal systems where they have been mostly examined. Utilizing an original dataset of online survey responses including TT citizens, interest group leaders, and elected officials, I investigate how public opinion of local and national government, independence of institutions, venue shopping, framing, media coverage, and the role of interest groups and political parties influence personal support for LGBTQ ights, and perceptions trust and value-sharing with institutions to pursue a variety of LGBTQ policies. This research has important theoretical implications, bridging knowledge across LGBTQ Rights, Political Science, and Caribbean Studies, and practical implications, providing insight to actors on the ground that can help refine their strategies of LGBTQ advocacy. |