–ABCE countries urge local leaders

CONSTRUCTING a society that respects the rights of every individual regardless of their sexual orientation will require certain regulatory changes, stakeholders have been advised.
In a message commemorating International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), resident representatives of the United States of America (U.S.); Great Britain; Canada and the European Union (EU), encouraged civil society and political leaders to embark on a process of engagement and change in 2021 with the aim of decriminalising intimate same-sex relations.

“We understand and respect that countries are at different stages of acceptance and engagement on this issue.  Nevertheless, human rights of all persons are universal and indivisible, and these include the human rights of LGBTQI+ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex+] persons.

“We believe that May 17 is a day we can all come together and continue our dialogue and collaboration with all our partner states and civil society organisations to help bring an end to discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ persons,” the resident representatives said in a joint press statement.
Further, representatives of the developed nations said: “On this day, let’s raise our voices and recommit our efforts to put human dignity at the heart of all that we do to build more just and more inclusive societies.”

The diplomats contended that LGBTQI+ people still face serious challenges in their everyday lives. With 69 countries still criminalising same-sex relations, millions of lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people live in fear of being who they are and showing whom they love.

Transgender people are subjected to punishments in at least 37 countries and experience unprecedented levels of violence across the globe.
“Education, awareness-raising and dialogue have helped tremendously in addressing stereotypes and prejudice against LGBTQI+ persons and we encourage Guyana to join regional partners to continue these efforts,” the representatives of the developed nations related.

This year, the IDAHOTB theme is “Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing!”, and it celebrates the power of communities to promote social cohesion.
The date May 17 was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. There has been some progress since this day was first celebrated in 2004.

“We are proud to see that countries in the hemisphere have taken concrete steps toward the elimination of discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons in the past year,” the diplomats said.
In Guyana, as in most other parts of the world, there are no public gatherings for IDAHOTB and Pride celebrations this year.
The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), therefore, launched its second 592 Virtual Pride 2021, under the theme: “#LiveOutProud.”

The one-week online festival will commence on June 7, marking SASOD Guyana’s 18th anniversary, and run until June 13.

“LGBTQ+ persons and allies alike can look forward to the live launch on June 7, the Pride Yoga session on June 8, the Queer Film Night on June 9, the Queer Quiz Night on June 10, Pride Games Night on June 11, Caribbean Inferno Pride Party on June 12 and a final Pride Inter-Faith Forum on June 13, which brings the curtains down on the week of virtual activities,” SASOD said in a press statement.

Persons can follow SASOD Guyana on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more details on the upcoming 592 Virtual Pride celebrations.