In observance of International Human Rights Day, the Guyana Together Campaign joined forces with the Rotary Club of Georgetown to host a Human Rights Initiative event aimed at advocating for the repeal of laws against same-sex intimacy in Guyana.
The event featured remarks from prominent Attorney-at-Law Nikhil Ramkarran, who reinforced the campaign’s message for legal reform. Ramkarran emphasized the evolution of society’s understanding of human rights, stating, “As people have evolved, we have developed a certain level of understanding… we have an obligation to treat each other with respect, care, understanding, and without discrimination.”
He further highlighted the importance of transcending biological prejudices, calling for a society free from discrimination based on physical or mental differences. “We have an obligation, even if it seems to bear no fruit, to defend against irrational prejudices and discrimination,” he added.
Joel Simpson, Managing Director of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), shared the campaign’s successes over the past 16 months. He noted that the Guyana Together Campaign has launched three videos featuring stories from individuals within the LGBTQ community, including a lesbian woman, a gay man, and a transgender man, alongside their allies.
Simpson reported that the campaign’s content has reached over three million views across social media and mainstream media platforms, indicating a growing awareness and support for LGBTQ rights in Guyana. “We’ve had over 100 businesses and organizations endorse the campaign, and scores of individuals have pledged their support,” he said.
The collaboration with the Rotary Club of Georgetown has played a crucial role in spreading the campaign’s message among professional leaders in both the public and private sectors. President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Natasha Vieira, expressed pride in the partnership, noting it aligns with Rotary International’s diversity, equity, and inclusiveness campaign.
Launched in 2023, the Guyana Together Campaign aims to increase acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in Guyana by sharing personal stories of support and acceptance from families, friends, and communities. The campaign seeks to foster public support for LGBTQ rights, emphasizing that members of the community should be treated with the same respect as anyone else.
Guyana Together Campaign is inviting organizations to participate in its endorsement campaign, which has already garnered support from several well-known local businesses and organizations. The initiative aims to spark a national conversation on the importance of equality and respect for all Guyanese, regardless of their sexual orientation.
