THE Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), on behalf of the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF), met earlier this week with Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton — ahead of an ongoing United Nations’ high-level meeting on HIV — to “discuss important opportunities the UN meeting was likely to provide for both Government and civil society in the global response to HIV/AIDS”, SASOD has said.SASOD has explained that some of these opportunities include setting bold new targets for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, human rights and the legal framework, young people, women and girls, key populations, financing and investment.

SASOD’s project coordinator, John Quelch, in his contribution at the meeting, highlighted that men who are considered gay, transgender people and those identified as sex workers are denied equal access to HIV prevention and healthcare services. This, he reasoned, is because of the “structural barriers” that exist in the public health system in Guyana.

“The punitive laws and policies that criminalise and discriminate against these marginalised groups impede proper HIV prevention and treatment, and effective care and support services,” Quelch said.

Given this situation, he echoed sentiments on behalf of the GEF, calling for the repeal of these punitive laws, which according to that body, “violate human rights and heighten vulnerabilities.”

The project coordinator also noted that GEF is advocating for the relevant decision-makers to recognise the importance of the involvement of key populations (LGBT and other minority groups) and people living with HIV in programme development and implementation at the national level.

“Greater involvement of these groups will provide platforms for their voices to be heard and their issues to be addressed at policy levels,” Quelch stated.

Further, he underscored the need for the full implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in the school system, and he said it must be aimed at informing young people and children about issues related to their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

It was noted that young people, especially between the ages of 15 and 24, account for more than one-third of the cases of new HIV infections. And Quelch interestingly noted that most young people do not have access to good quality social and economic services, including sexual and reproductive health programmes that provide the services and commodities, skills, knowledge and capability they need to protect themselves from HIV.

Minister Norton, who took notes continuously throughout the meeting, engaged the advocates extensively, and acknowledged their efforts to advance the cause of minority groups while providing him with much-needed and relevant information.

The Minister also revealed that he understands fully how important a role civil society plays in HIV response — providing a grounded perspective and access to key populations, which is invaluable to the national programme.

Minister Norton also commended GEF for the work it has been doing, while highlighting the Ministry’s commitment to partnering with the groups to advance human rights’ protection for marginalised communities.

“If I am serious about health care in this country, then I must be ready to work with all groups,” he said.

The high level UN meeting commenced on Wednesday last, and concluded on Friday. Attending the meeting, apart from the Minister, were Miriam Edwards of the Guyana Sex Work Coalition (GSWC) and the Caribbean Sex Workers Coalition (CSWC); Devanand Milton of Guyana Trans United (GTU), and John Quelch of SASOD. The three local groups, led by key populations, are also members of the regional Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC).

The Guyana Equality Forum (GEF), founded by SASOD in 2011, is a network of local civil society groups working collectively and cohesively for equal rights and justice in Guyana. The GEF is chaired by Red Thread, while SASOD serves as the network’s secretariat.