Joel Simpson, founder and managing director of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), has said that transgender sex workers operate in a very unsafe environment, and they are not being treated as normal employees.His remarks follow the homicide of transgender sex worker Noel Luther this week, while plying his trade in downtown Georgetown.

Simpson added that in SASOD’s 12 years of existence, its members have been operating in a dangerous environment, which he describes as hazardous to occupational safety and health standards.

Simpson pointed out that transgender groups are not benefiting from lawful protection like other workers, because of their gender; but he contends that they have a right to earn a living in a safe environment like any other employee, and society needs to change its attitude towards transgenders.

He said SASOD has reached out to transgenders on numerous occasions, has had empowerment sessions with them, and has worked in collaboration with the Guyana Transgender Union and the Guyana Sex Coalition, but there is only so much SASOD can do.

Simpson said SASOD does not want to duplicate the work of other organisations, and the murder of Noel Luther raises several issues regarding the vulnerability of transgenders and the level of violence to which they are exposed, given the areas out of which they operate.

Simpson said it is sad what transgender sex workers endure simply because they are stigmatised and generally not accepted by society. He recalled an incident that happened a year ago, when an enraged and jealous man knifed to death two of his ex-lovers’ friends at Leopold Street in Georgetown before taking his own life.

He said that man’s transgender ex-lover is very fortunate to still be alive and be able to recuperate from a very abusive relationship.

Twenty-year-old transgender sex worker Noel Luther, called “Nephi”, of Durban Street, Wortmanville, was fatally shot to the chest by one of two men at about 02:35 hrs on Wednesday morning, while plying his trade at Quamina and Carmichael Streets in the vicinity of the Bishop’s High School.

Reports are that a male client had earlier visited Luther for a paid sexual encounter, but was apparently not satisfied with the services he had received.
Not being pleased with Luther’s response to his complaint, the client returned with another man, who reportedly fatally shot Luther before fleeing the scene in a sports utility vehicle.

Luther was conveyed to the GPHC where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

By Michel Outridge