DEFENDING the rights of all Guyanese is on the agenda for the government, as People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, echoed his party’s full support for anti-discrimination legislation.

“…. We’re going to support any legislation to prevent discrimination. We don’t want any discrimination against our people for education, health, or jobs,” Dr. Jagdeo said during his Thursday press conference at Freedom House.

Dr. Jagdeo firmly stated that members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community, who are Guyanese at the end of the day, should not be denied service or opportunities.

He also stated that the PPP recently met with the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and most likely, their manifesto, which will be launched in a few weeks, will focus on the prevention of discrimination.

However, he stated that the party will not support the legalisation of gay marriages.

SASOD recently launched the LGBTQIA+ manifesto, which outlines ten priority issues grouped under five broad thematic areas, calls on political parties contesting the upcoming General and Regional Elections to adopt its recommendations in their own manifestos — and to deliver on them if elected.

As Guyana approaches the 2025 General and Regional Elections, the themes of equality, respect, and justice for all citizens remain central to the PPP/C government’s agenda.

This was underscored this week during a town hall event hosted by the SASOD and the Guyana Press Association (GPA), which brought together representatives from five of the six political parties contesting the upcoming polls.

The event centred on the rights and realities of LGBTQ+ Guyanese, providing a rare platform for political parties to publicly discuss their policies on inclusion and equality in the lead-up to the elections.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, represented the PPP/C and used the opportunity to reaffirm the government’s dedication to justice, respect and equal access for all, especially for vulnerable and minority groups.

When asked about workplace non-discrimination by moderator Iva Wharton, Minister Rodrigues highlighted her own position within the government as evidence of the party’s ongoing efforts toward inclusion.

“The People’s Progressive Party/Civic has employed me and that speaks volumes,” she said, signalling meaningful representation within government.

Rodrigues also revealed practical policy adjustments already underway in her ministry to improve access to government services for LGBTQ+ individuals.

She cited changes in housing application procedures, where, previously, applicants had to prove the nature of their relationship with a co-applicant, such as a spouse or sibling. This requirement often acted as a barrier for LGBTQ+ couples.

“We changed that,” Rodrigues said, adding, “Now, LGBT couples can come to the Ministry and say, ‘This is my partner or co-applicant’, without having to declare or justify that relationship. And that application must be accepted.”

According to her, these quiet yet impactful initiatives aim to open access to essential services such as employment and housing for all Guyanese.

The minister stressed that while sweeping legislative reforms remain important, the PPP/C also prioritises practical measures that improve lives, even if they do not make headlines.

“We have said to this country, not only during this election period but in the last five years and whenever we have been in government, that we’re going to ensure that all of our policies and programmes benefit all the people of Guyana, including our minorities, including our vulnerable groups,” she noted.

For the governing PPP/C, Minister Rodrigues’s remarks painted a picture of a party actively working, both publicly and behind the scenes, to build a more inclusive and equitable Guyana for all its citizens.