Speaker: Janice
Function: Founder
Bedrijf: Outcaribbean

Over de spreker
Janice Tjon Sien Kie LGBTQ+ Rights Activist, Strategist & Entrepreneur Curaçao, Kingdom of the Netherlands Surinamese-born and Curaçao-based, Janice Tjon Sien Kie has spent nearly two decades advancing queer visibility, acceptance, and equality across the Caribbean. Since 2007, she has helped organise some of the earliest LGBTQ+ initiatives in Curaçao, laying the groundwork for what would become Curaçao Pride. As chairwoman of Human Rights Caribbean, Janice initiated and led the landmark legal case that secured marriage equality in Curaçao in 2024, fought all the way to the Dutch Supreme Court with pro bono support from NautaDutilh and lawyers Mirto Murray and David Wever. The ruling set a precedent that helped advance marriage equality in Sint Maarten, creating lasting impact across the Kingdom of the Netherlands. For its social impact work, Human Rights Caribbean was nominated for the Appeltje van Oranje, presented annually by Queen Máxima. Janice is also the founder of Outcaribbean, a queer travel media platform and app dedicated to safe, inclusive, and culturally conscious travel throughout the Caribbean. Outcaribbean was selected for the TUI Care Foundation and IGLTA Foundation FutureShapers mentorship programme and recognised by OutThere Travel Magazine, where Janice received the Champion Award for her contribution to inclusive travel. She believes that when people truly understand each other's cultures, they build deeper empathy, connection, and respect. Through both advocacy and entrepreneurship, she works to create a more inclusive Caribbean and a world where everyone can live, travel, and thrive authentically.