-CPA director, Ann Greene urges

DIRECTOR of Children Services, Ann Greene, wants to see the establishment of laws in Guyana which protect Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Other (LGBTQ+) youths from being bullied.
Greene called for same at a reception on Thursday at the British High Commissioner’s residence in observance of ‘Spirit Day’, an annual day to raise awareness of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying in schools.

The event is the third of its kind to be hosted in Guyana by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, civil society and private sector. “It is love and acceptance. Every human being born into this world has a right to be here, being placed here by the Superior being of the Universe with their own purpose,” Greene said in her speech to the gathering.
A release from SASOD informed that Greene relayed that LGBTQ+ people in Guyana are oppressed and marginalized because of their sexual orientation and gender identity and suffer discrimination in accessing their civil rights.

However, she advocated that the needs of LGBTQ+ persons are just the same as any person and should be granted regardless of their human characteristics. In addition to laws against bullying, the Children Services Director called for specific interventions to address the unique challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth in Guyana. Greene said these include targeted social programmes, safe schools, care centres, safe access to recreational facilities and activities, access to adequate health services and supportive workplace policies.

“The beauty of standing up for your rights is so that others can see you standing and stand up as well,” she said. The reception featured a short programme which also included remarks from the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, along with musical renditions and the recitation of the ‘Spirit Day’ Pledge. In his brief remarks, Quinn called for persons to promote diversity and tolerance for LGBTQ+ persons. “LGBTQ+ persons are not asking for special rights; they are seeking to be afforded the same rights as any other Guyanese citizen,” the High Commissioner said. Meanwhile, representing SASOD, Homophobia(s) Education Coordinator, Valini Leitch said that taking a stand against LGBTQ+ bullying is not a one-day affair but requires collective, daily action.