THE Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) says that same-sex marriage is not a part of their advocacy agenda, but they are calling for an end to the discriminatory laws and policies against the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community. In light of the recent ruling in the United States and other countries legalizing gay marriages, observers here have said that Guyana is not ready for such a movement since the country is profoundly built on an array of religious beliefs that do not countenance gay marriage.
SASOD, however, is fully focused on what it sees as the pressing needs of LGBT people in Guyana to access their basic rights.
SEXUALITY EDUCATION
Managing Director of SASOD, Joel Simpson, when contacted by this publication maintained that there should be systems in place to address homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools so that the LGBT children do not become school drop-outs, but are able to complete their academic development.
“We would like comprehensive sexuality education in schools to teach all children in age-appropriate ways about sexual and gender diversity,” stressed Simpson. This, he said, will help in eliminating bullying in schools and will ultimately minimise the likelihood that the next generation will grow up to be ‘homophobic’ adults.

JOB SKILLS
Moreover, Simpson is calling for more job-skills training along with job placement and entrepreneurial programmes for the ‘sidelined’ LGBT youths, so that the LGBT community has other means of attaining an income rather than relying on sex work for survival.
Though it is a dawn of a new era, gays are still greatly discriminated, especially in the Caribbean, including Guyana. Many are not given equal health care while some are subjected to disrespect in their work environments. The use of public transportation without being harassed also adds to the list of discriminatory acts.
Meanwhile, Simpson noted that the new administration had campaigned on platforms of national unity, social cohesion, equal rights and gender equality. In that light, the LGBT community is holding high expectations that the new government will join in their fight by taking legal and policy measures to ban discrimination against them in Guyana.
BLOOD DONATIONS
This would include sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited categories in the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997 and the Guyana Constitution, to repeal laws forbidding same-sex intimacy and cross-dressing. Lastly, Simpson called also called for the end of the discriminatory policy against gays and lesbians donating blood at the National Blood Transfusion Service.
Guyana’s current laws prohibit cross-dressing and one can be imprisoned for two years while buggery holds a lifetime sentence. SASOD is simply calling for such laws to be abolished since they do not fit well with the LGBT community as Guyana is the only jurisdiction in South America that prohibits homosexual activity.
The APNU+AFC manifesto in the section on Gender Equality states clearly: “We commit to putting in place measures which will ensure that all vulnerable groups in our society, including women, children, persons with disabilities, rural and Indigenous women, youth, the elderly and the sick and pregnant and those marginalised because of sexual orientation are protected and not discriminated against.”
Although President Granger holds strong religious beliefs, he has recently vowed to not impose his views on society.
The United States recently joined with nearly two dozen countries around the world in legalising gay marriages. On that note, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt shed light on this development at the Embassy’s July 4 Independence Day reception last Thursday evening.
“With this landmark decision, the United States is ready to take yet another journey down the path towards equality for all, following in the footsteps of many of our allies such as South Africa, Brazil, Canada and Ireland, who are already well ahead of us on this particular journey,” said Hunt.
Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds had proposed to the National Assembly of the 10th Parliament that the country should repeal the discriminatory laws. Thereafter, a committee was set up with assistance from the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2010 to revise these laws. However, much has not been done since then.

‘We would like comprehensive sexuality education in schools to teach all children in age-appropriate ways about sexual and gender diversity … to help in eliminating bullying in schools and ultimately minimize the likelihood that the next generation will grow up to be ‘homophobic’ adults’ – SASOD Managing Director, Joel Simpson

By Shivanie Sugrim