THE High Commission of Canada, in partnership with Equal Guyana, unveiled a 12-foot by 19-foot painting of the Progress Pride Flag, on the driveway of the Canadian High Commission.

The unveiling was done by High Commissioner, Mark K. Berman, along with the Managing Director of EQUAL Guyana, Anil Persaud and EQUAL Guyana members, Raiza Khan and Scott Singh, a release said. High Commissioner Berman said that he was proud to have the painting done at the High Commission.

“Today, I am extremely proud to unveil this painting in the High Commission compound as a symbol of LGBT rights and the progress that has been made thus far. However, it is also a very bold reminder that there is still a lot more to be done locally and globally to address discrimination and LGBT rights, but Canada will remain a strong advocate for the human rights of all and the freedom to be yourself,” he said.

The painting was done in celebration of Pride Month and as part of the High Commission’s activities to support the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community in Guyana. The High Commission of Canada and EQUAL Guyana recently signed a project agreement to promote gender equality with the focus of establishing LGBT rights through engagement, education and empowerment.

The High Commission of Canada believes in the protection and promotion of the human rights of the LGBT people globally and believes that everyone should enjoy the same fundamental human rights, regardless of their sexual orientation and their gender identity and expression.

Later in the month of June, EQUAL Guyana will partner with the High Commission again, but this time for a social media take-over where EQUAL Guyana will use the High Commission’s Instagram platform to engage with the followers and share information about the importance of pronouns for the LGBT community and why using the correct pronoun is important.

“Canada welcomes the recent announcement by the Government of Guyana to strike out the law against cross-dressing, in keeping with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling. Canada will continue to support education and dialogue to address stereotypes and prejudice against LGBT persons locally and will continue to encourage Guyana’s civil society and political leaders to embark on a process of engagement and change with the aim of decriminalising intimate same sex relations,” the release concluded.