By Sue-Ann Wayow
HAIR stylist, animal activist and a politician in her own right, transgender Taylor Jowelle De Souza created history on Tuesday being sworn in as a temporary Senator in the Upper House.
De Souza, also a Hummingbird Medal awardee, stood in for Opposition Senator Jayanti Lutchmedial who was ill.
She made her maiden contribution to the debate on the Summary Courts (Amendment) Bill 2021 which seeks to allow a court the option to consider multiple individuals or offences together in a single trial. It was eventually passed.
In her opening remarks, De Souza dressed in white, thanked President of Senate Christine Kangaloo for allowing her the opportunity to speak as well as Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar for placing confidence and nominating her.
She said, “Madam President, I want to first, thank you for giving me the opportunity to address this Chamber. I also want to thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar for the opportunity and the confidence that she has placed in me and her diverse and inclusive leadership.”
Referring to the bill, she said Senator Anil Roberts gave the best explanation having listened attentively to all previous contributors.
In her brief contribution, De Souza said, “If you are listening to it from another part of the world, or the average layman is listening to this bill, it is very difficult to understand all of the different cases that have been spoken about and it is very difficult to understand that.”
She said, “I also believe real justice should be given to the actual person to decide whether they want to have a trial jointly or individually.”
Kangaloo following De Souza’s contribution said, “Honourable Senators permit me on everyone’s behalf here to congratulate Senator De Souza on her maiden contribution.”
In winding up the debate, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said the last temporary opposition senator had ended up working as the Chief Public Defender in his ministry as “the best person for the job” despite political background.
Al-Rawi hinted to De Souza, “I’ll say to Senator De Souza, watch out. You may soon be on the other side.”
He said the judicial system was in a very different place adding it was not perfect and at his Office, work continued on prosecutional reform.
In 2015, De Souza contested the San Fernando West seat as an independent candidate which was won by Al-Rawi.
On Monday night, during the United National Congress’s virtual report, De Souza spoke about the ills of San Fernando, a city which she said was now “broke” with many buildings up for sale, businesses closing down and citizens out of jobs.
“This is all because of one man, Faris Al-Rawi,” she said.
