Violence against sex workers must also be confronted in Guyana

"Soon as the sex was over, this man started slapping and cuffing me up and he empty my purse and take away all my money, not just what he pay me,” recounted a female sex worker based in New Amsterdam, who had been assaulted and robbed by a client, to an advocate at United Bricklayers, a local AIDS-prevention, community-based organization, less than two months ago. “Now how could I go to the police and make a report when sex work is not legal,” she added.


Sex workers in Guyana , and other parts of the world, face disproportionate levels of violence which is often unreported. The assault, battery, rape and even murder of sex workers, which is all too common in the industry, goes unnoticed because of the existing legal framework around the profession which prevents sex workers from reporting violence. The stigma and discrimination perpetuated by sex-work related offences has made violence against sex workers acceptable.


Last month, sex workers from across Guyana came together for a national consultation and decided to join their peers around the world to stand against violence committed against sex workers as the 6th annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is observed on December 17, 2008 . First commemorated in 2003, the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is the brainchild of Dr. Annie Sprinkle, a former sex worker herself who left the industry after two decades and later went on to earn a PhD in Human Sexuality. Dr. Sprinkle was moved when “Green River Killer” Gary Ridgeway confessed to having strangled 90 female sex workers to death and having “sex” with their dead bodies in Seattle, Washington. Originally conceived as a memorial and vigil for the forgotten victims, International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers has evolved into an annual international advocacy day to protest human rights abuses against sex workers, demand an end to all violence and the right to work safely.


With the genesis of the Sex Work Coalition – Guyana (SWCG) as one of the outcomes of the November consultation, this is the first time December 17 is being observed in Guyana. SWCG brings together female, male and trans- sex workers, their advocates, human rights defenders and organizations which work with these stigmatised groups in Guyana. It is supported by four local organizations – One Love, United Bricklayers, Guyana Rainbow Foundation and Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination – working in partnership with two regional coalitions, the Caribbean Sex Work Coalition and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition.

SASOD Statement : International Human Rights Day 2008

December 10, is observed as International Human Rights Day 2008. This year’s commemoration is an important milestone as it marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), under the theme “Dignity and justice for all of us.” On this historic occasion, States from every region of the world will join together to deliver a statement next week recognizing human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity at the United Nations General Assembly. The statement deals with human rights abuses, directed against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, including violence, criminal sanctions, torture, threats against human rights defenders and discrimination in accessing economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to health. This joint statement will affirm that human rights truly are the birthright of all human beings, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.


Over the past year alone, the region has made significant strides in advancing the Inter-American human rights system to respond to violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. On June 3, 2008, the General Assembly of the Organisation of American States adopted Resolution AG/RES. 2435 (XXXVIII-O/08) on “Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity” with the consensus of member states. On October 24, 2008, the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights (IACHR) held a thematic hearing on “Discrimination based on Gender, Race and Sexual Orientation in the Americas” - for the first time in its history - in its 133rd Period of Sessions where SASOD Co-Chairperson, Joel Simpson, presented on the impact of laws criminalizing same-sex intimacy between consenting adults in private intersecting with socio-economic and cultural conditions in the context of the English-speaking Caribbean. Just last week, December 1 – 5, 2008, IACHR visited Jamaica to observe the human rights situation in the country, at the invitation of the government, and included focus on persons suffering discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, strongly condemning homophobia in its preliminary observations.


These progressive developments at the regional level have taken place against a backdrop of human rights violations escalating in our own country: the state is accused of torture; sexual and gender-based violence have reached pandemic proportions; while wanton violence, triggered in part by socio-economic disadvantage, threatens every citizen’s security; among other abuses. Even in a local context of such widespread violence, we, as a nation, still have not learnt that until all of us are protected, none of us are. How can we expect our youth not to nurture violence in a system that retains corporal punishment under the Education Act as a form of ‘disciplining’ children? When will we liberate our country from that destructive ethos of our colonial past?


The situation of human rights related to sexual orientation and gender identity at home is no better either. Over the last two weeks alone, there has been an unprecedented spate, perhaps, of murders targeting persons thought to be of a different sexual orientation, whether real or perceived, in circumstances which suggest that homophobia maybe the primary motive. What is even more troubling is that vital information, which could bring the perpetrators to justice, is not reaching the police because of lack of confidence and fear that some law-enforcement officers may hold similar anti-gay prejudices which may be at the root of the recent killings. A lot more gender-sensitivity work with the police needs to be done to inspire confidence among stigmatized groups, victims of violence and the general public.


Even amidst public outcries, violence continues to escalate in our society and we, as a country, must ask ourselves why. Our analysis should lead us to examine whether there are cultural factors which endorse violence and, undeniably, we will find aspects of our popular culture which glorify violence. While the government has taken a stand, although after the fact, by banning ‘Bounty Killa’ and ‘Movado’ because of their pro-violent lyrics, and should be commended, is enough really being done to prevent and curb the proliferation of such dangerous lyrics in our society? One need only live in the country to know that these insidious lyrics denigrate public spaces and airwaves: from transportation to bus parks; from live shows to other entertainment events; in restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs and on television. We must also question whether it is sufficient to simply block out words in a context where the intended meaning is obvious, as seems to be the practice in sections of the broadcast media.


The state of our society today implores us to urgently reflect on these issues as we take stock, 60 years after the signing of the UDHR. Government, state managers and policy makers alike, must confront these challenges if we, as a country, are to live up to the aspiration on which this universal value system is premised. Article 1 of the UDHR says it best: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights…”

World AIDS Day 2008

Guyanese AIDS-service and human-rights organisations join with our regional partners in the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition to commend leaders of marginalized groups. These groups carry a disproportionate burden of the AIDS epidemic and yet they are often not given adequate attention in national AIDS programmes. As World AIDS Day 2008 is observed under the theme of “Leadership,” we recognize the invaluable contributions of our ‘everyday leaders’ from across the Caribbean who represent and serve these vulnerable populations, even in the face of stigma and discrimination. We salute them for their vigour and valour as they work tirelessly to protect the human rights of those infected and affected by HIV. They are true promise keepers to stop AIDS in Guyana , the rest of the Caribbean and the world.

Local Co-Sponsoring Organisations:

Guyana Sex Work Coalition (GSWC)

Juncata Juvant Friendly Society (JJFS)

Guyana Rainbow Foundation (Guybow)

Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD)

The Network of Guyanese Living with and Affected by HIV and AIDS (G+)

World AIDS Day Celebration of Community Leadership
“Lead – Deliver – Empower”
IN keeping with the World AIDS Day theme of “Leadership,” we are celebrating the
leadership by members of vulnerable communities who are part of the Caribbean
Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) family. Mindful that it is ideal that leadership
comes from the groups we work with, in our context this is not easy and means the leaders
risk stigma and discrimination by taking a stand for their community. This World AIDS Day
we are therefore commending their bravery and commitment to a world without AIDS and a
Caribbean where social justice is a reality.

Elias Ramos – Leadership for Youth
Addressing their vulnerability is not easy for young people, but especially for young people
from marginalised groups. In the Dominican Republic, 24-year old Elias Ramos is a leader of
a new youth strategy by and for young people. “Jovenes de la Vida Real” (in English,
YurWorld or Youth in the Real World) is a project by COIN in the Dominican Republic that
targets marginalized youth to increase their resilience to HIV.

Elias explains how the young people at YurWorld are finding solutions:
Marginalized youth are a vulnerable population with complex needs. In light of this,

sustainable prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS amongst marginalized youth
requires empowering them to act and bring about change in their own terms at the
individual as well as the collective level.

He believes that an effective response takes more than disease specific interventions and
includes broader development strategies. This approach is championed by YurWorld which
encourages change through employment and cultural values, ownership of assets, and
political and civil opportunities that empower marginalized youth.

Ionie Whorms – Leadership for Drug Users
It is an early morning and the film crew is setting up their equipment in the neighbourhood
of Fletcher’s Land, Kingston, Jamaica. Residents come out to hail and support a woman who
has become their heroine doing yet another television interview. She has become Jamaica’s
leading advocate for crack cocaine users, herself in recovery for the past 15 years. This time
she is on set for the filming of Complex Problems, Simple Solutions, the documentary on
access to HIV treatment for women and men who are homeless substance users. Complex
Problems, Simple Solutions, a collaboration between CVC and the Caribbean Treatment
Action Group produced by the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC),

is also released as part of the broadcast media package for World AIDS Week, distributed
throughout the region by the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership. This is yet another
one of her avenues for advocating for the rights of this vulnerable community.
She is Ionie Whorms, whose work is built on the conviction that she would not want anyone
else to go through what she went through when she was on crack cocaine.
“It really bothers me to see lives been wasted away in this manner” she confesses
“and so I must do anything possible to stop it.”
That “anything” about which she speaks ranges from taking a meal to those who are
homeless to transporting others to health centres, being part of a civil society response to
substance use and advocating for policy change. She considers these to be simple solutions
to complex things.

Nigel Mathlin – Leadership for Gay Men
Men who have sex with men in the Caribbean region are said to be invisible and hard to
reach for HIV interventions. Nigel Mathlin has engaged the response to HIV in a manner that
proves that does not have to be the case.
He is engaged in arranging activities for the gay, lesbian and bisexual population in his home
county of Grenada through GrenCHAP, the local AIDS-prevention community-based
organisation of which he is a co-founder. But his work has not stopped at home. He is also
integrally involved in the sub-regional and regional movements through the OECS-based
Caribbean HIV/AIDS Partnership (CHAPS) and CVC respectively. No longer can it be said that
leaders for this community cannot be found neither can it be said that this population is not
taking its own action.

Miriam Edwards – Leadership for Sex Workers
“This is our profession, we must stand up and protect our rights” boomed the
confident voice from across the room to the applause of the thirty other male and
female sex workers gathered for a national consultation of sex workers in
Georgetown, Guyana.
The speaker is Miriam, sex worker organiser and a leader in the Caribbean sex work
community.
After seeing many persons die from HIV infection and nursing her own sister on her death
bed, Miriam is intent that HIV awareness among sex workers must be heightened in the
region. That led her to found a local Guyana organisation called “One Love” and later to co-
found the regionally-based Caribbean Sex Work Coalition and then Guyana’s national
organisation of sex workers, Guyana Sex Work Coalition. At any given time Miriam can be
seen in training session for sex workers, distributing condoms and safer sex material, visiting
those living with HIV in the hospitals or their homes and advocating at the national, regional
and international levels for the rights of sex workers and other marginalised groups in the Caribbean.

Donna Snagg – Leadership for Involuntary Remigrants
Throughout the Caribbean there is a profound misconception of members of our societies
who have experienced deportation, to the point of them now being labelled and
depersonalised as “deportees.” This label overshadows who these persons really are and
their potential to contribute to society. Often lost in a system that is unaccommodating and
hostile, the associations with the label “deportee” in many respects deflects attention from
the violations of their basic human rights that are commonplace.
Human rights activist and stalwart Mrs. Donna Snagg had the experience of being deported
from the USA approximately ten years ago but has used that encounter to mobilize other
persons with similar experiences in her home country of Guyana. So important are these
issues to her that she founded the Juncata Juvant Friendly Society, an NGO that caters for
the needs of involuntary remigrants. The organisation’s focus is also to assist this population
to reintegrate into Guyanese society and empowering them to be self sufficient. Added to
that, Donna and the other members of Juncata Juvant recognize the challenges this group of
persons encounter and their vulnerability to HIV. This inspires their activities and the
conviction that with the right support they can overcome these hurdles with dignity and
respect.

Nicholas Morgan – Leadership for Vulnerable Children
For Nicholas Morgan the maxim “we are all living in a world with HIV” has a new and
different meaning. From as young as 11 years old he accompanied his mother on her
volunteer efforts with a Jamaican AIDS organisation. What he saw then was so deeply
imprinted on his young mind that he immediately busied himself with providing support to
orphans and other children living with HIV.
Defying the age barrier, his early efforts were centred on baby-sitting children living with the
virus. He helped them with their homework and with such ordinary tasks as learning to ride
a bicycle, playing computer games and just general things that children like to do. It is those
“ordinary” tasks that gave way to extraordinary ones such as becoming one of the Panos
Caribbean youth journalists and being editor of their newsletter called “Our Own Voices.”
His voice is stamped on their public service announcements for radio and he is also one of
the mentors to other children in the programme. All this is in determined fulfilment of his
desire to make lives better for orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV. To
Nicholas, we are all equal, we are all affected. He believes firmly that:
it is up to those who have the power, the influence to make a difference in the lives
of young people, to help not only those who are infected or affected but to those
who we can help to remain aware and to make informed decisions.

PRESS RELEASE: FAIR TREATMENT WITHOUT FEAR

(Members of the head table seated left to right: Ms. Patricia Figueroa (Puerto Rico), Mr. Mark Ross (Guyana),
Mr. Caleb Orozco (Belize), Ms. Rosaura Lopez (Puerto Rico) and Ms. Chrystol Albert (Guyana). )

The Caribbean Treatment Action Group (CTAG) declares the first Annual Access to Treatment Day (October 15, 2008) with launches in five Caribbean countries – Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Curaçao and St. Lucia. In observing this day, CTAG, in association with the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC), and numerous local partners, brings attention to HIV-positive groups who face unique challenges in gaining access to treatment; particularly, women who are homeless and substance users.

The Caribbean currently has the second highest rates of HIV infection in the world; developing and executing a comprehensive response to HIV and AIDS is therefore essential. An important part of this response is providing access to treatment – for all who need it – based on stigma free care and support.

HIV antiretroviral medication is free or available at minimal cost in most Caribbean countries. Nonetheless, substance users and the homeless face unique challenges that limit their access to treatment: discrimination at points of service and the absence of basics like food, transportation and shelter. These groups, though often stigmatized, interact with the wider population, and as a result their access to healthcare affects the health of society as a whole.

A recent study by the Caribbean Drug and Alcohol Research Institute (CDARI) on the behaviours of homeless drug users in three Caribbean countries indicates that:

• The rates of HIV infection in this group is substantially higher than the general population
• They are less likely to take HIV tests or to seek treatment because of service barriers
• 75 % of females sampled engage in transactional sex or exchange sex for drugs
• Only 11% of females report using condoms consistently

Creative local initiatives in several Caribbean islands prove that substance users and the homeless can be successfully brought into treatment. Directly observed therapy and street-based outreach programmes in St. Lucia, Jamaica and Trinidad that bring medication, essential services and information directly to the target groups have improved their health outcomes and their chances of recovery.

CTAG is clear that effective HIV programming must have at least two distinct but related components:

First, a recognition of the fundamental human rights of these populations and a commitment to respect for their dignity.

Second, a commitment to incorporating the needs of these populations into programme planning – both to improve their rates of enrolment in and adherence to treatment and to ensure the success and sustainability of the wider prevention, care, treatment and support initiatives.

CTAG, in collaboration with CVC, will release two short documentaries that explore these challenges and potential solutions: one tailored specifically to policy-makers and the other for the general public. For more information, visit www.cvccoalition.org.

What is The Caribbean Treatment Action Group (CTAG)?

The Caribbean Treatment Action Group (CTAG) is a group of Caribbean treatment access activists from around the region who are living with HIV and their supporters. It is a broad coalition comprised of people working in and for the community in their own countries and with strong expertise in HIV/AIDS treatment and related issues. CTAG’s programme consists of two main strategies. One is advocacy for access to HIV and AIDS-related care, treatment and support for all who need it in the Caribbean. The second is an annual small-grants programme that provides community groups with funds through a peer review process. CTAG was formed at a meeting in St Lucia in October 2004, where over 200 participants met to discuss the issues of access to treatment and support in the Caribbean and elect the very first CTAG committee. CTAG has provided grants to more than 25 organizations within 11 countries in the Caribbean.

CTAG is the Caribbean arm of the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), which is a worldwide coalition of people living with HIV/AIDS and their advocates. Established in March 2003, the ITPC advocates for universal and free access to treatment for AIDS for all HIV+ people and greater input from HIV+ people in decisions that affect their lives. We work to achieve these goals at the local, regional and international level. As a community voice, it combines the knowledge of the grassroots with technical expertise, and has been successful in communicating the concerns of people living with HIV/AIDS who need treatment to governments, United Nations agencies, the large pharmaceutical manufacturers among other public and private bodies that influence the progress of the establishment, scale-up and sustainability of HIV/AIDS treatment programs.

What is the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC)?

CVC is a coalition of organisations and individuals working in rights-based HIV prevention, care, treatment and support in the Creole, Dutch, English, French and Spanish speaking Caribbean, from Belize in the northwest to Suriname in the southeast. It was formed at a meeting of civil society groups from around the region held in Jamaica in December, 2004. The organisation’s formation arose from the need to fill a gap in the regional response to the HIV epidemic. That gap relates to diminishing the susceptibility of certain populations to HIV as well as to the inclusion of persons living with HIV and AIDS from those populations into culturally appropriate and accessible care, treatment and support programmes.

CVC has set itself the task of supporting community-based organisations, national programmes and others in developing and implementing rights-based programming to reduce the spread of HIV among especially vulnerable groups in the Caribbean, which include, among others, mobile populations, area youth, persons who sell sex, men who have sex with men and substance users. Because these populations are marginalised by the wider society, the coalition also seeks to lobby regional governments, inter-governmental, regional and international organisations to address their human rights concerns as a fundamental platform on which HIV prevention or care can become effective.

Spirtuality Workshop and Church Service

Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) - Guyana

in collaboration with the Guyana Rainbow Foundation (GuyBow) and partnership with

Sunshine Cathedral Jamaica (SCJ) is proud to host in Guyana

a Spirituality Workshop under the theme "Responding to Faith-Based Homophobia"

on Saturday, October 11, 2009 from 10:00 am at the headquarters building of the Guyana Red Cross Society, Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown and

a Church Service on Sunday, October 12, 2009, from 5:00 pm at the conference room of the Regency Suites Hotel, 98 Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown.

For more information, please email sasod_guyana@yahoo.com or call +(592) 698-1174 / 617-6107.

October Oxygen

The venue has been Changed to Sidewalk Cafe, Middle Street, Georgetown

What happens after the Mexico City XVII International AIDS Conference 2008

Human Rights Violations, Gender Inequality, Stigma, Discrimination and Homophobia Lead to HIV:

What happens after the Mexico City XVII International AIDS Conference 2008?

Human rights violations, gender inequality, stigma, discrimination and homophobia were unequivocally identified as major, structural drivers of the global AIDS pandemic at the recently concluded XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City , August 3 – 8, 2008 (AIDS 2008). SASOD delegates, Joel Simpson and Namela Baynes-Henry, joined over 25,000 scientists, community and political leaders from around the world, region and country calling for “universal action now” to tackle these underlying drivers of HIV vulnerability and reverse the tide of the AIDS epidemic.

As part of SASOD’s participation at AIDS 2008, an abstract titled “Spectrum Health Net: reaching the invisible with holistic sexual health education” (see attached) was one of over 5000 presented at the conference, selected from over 10,600 submissions (another 2,742 appear on the CD-ROM only). This abstract was accepted for poster exhibition (photograph attached) under the cross-cutting theme “4 - Stigma, Discrimination and Social Justice.” The poster is available for download on SASOD’s website at http://www.sasod.org.gy/?q=node/112

In an effort to disseminate the knowledge and catalyze action, SASOD is convening a facilitated AIDS 2008 Debriefing Forum with Guyanese delegates who work in key, vulnerable sectors to provide feedback, find solutions and take collective action among local stakeholders to address these issues in the context of the AIDS epidemic in Guyana . The meeting will take place on Thursday, August 21, 2008 from 16:00 to 17:30 hrs at the CIDA PSU Main Conference Room, New Market and Main Streets, Georgetown . It is open to the public and any interested persons are invited to attend.

Programme participants include :-

Women and Girls

Lydia Fraser
Health Director
Guyana Red Cross

Young People

Norwell Hinds
Youth Focal Point
UNFPA Guyana

Sex Work

Miriam Edwards
Director, “One Love”
Kwakwani Sex Work

Sexual Minorities

Joel Simpson
Co-Chairperson
SASOD-Guyana

Role of the Media

Namela Baynes-Henry
Editor-in-Chief
First Look News

Facilitated Plenary Discussion

Dereck Springer
Chairman, Lifeline
Counselling Services

SASOD @ CARIFESTA X - 23 to 30 August, 2008

Vele kleuren, één regenboog/Many colours, one rainbow/Beaucoup de couleurs, un arc-en-ciel/Muchos colores, un arco iris

Please see main programme on our website

OAS renews hope with “Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity” resolution

In the framework of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Charter of the Organization of American States, the 38th General Assembly of the OAS approved by consensus the resolution AG/RES-2435(XXXVIII-O/08) “Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity”(see below), presented by the Brazilian delegation.s

After 3 days of intense negotiation and an impressive diplomatic mobilization, for the first time in the history of the hemisphere the words sexual orientation and gender identity appear on an official document approved by consensus by the 34 countries of the Americas. This text recognizes the serious human rights violations faced by individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. This unprecedented document in the region was the result of consensus, including the English-speaking Caribbean countries whose legislation still criminalize consensual sexual activity between adults of the same sex.

Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) joinsthe Caribbean Forum for Liberation of Allo-sexualities and Genders (CARIFLAG) in welcoming the resolution and notes the good intentions of American and particularly Caribbean states regarding the issue of homophobic violence. The organisations hope that with time and a process of education, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the rights of all citizens to freedoms without distinction to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status will be affirmed and protected. In this regard, SASOD and CARIFLAG sees the resolution as renewing hope that the dialogue on violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity can be advanced within a framework where the basic rights of all citizens of the Americas, including gays and lesbians in the Caribbean, to live in free, fair and life-affirming societies are recognised.
The resolution represents a step forward in the working process for the approval of an Inter-American Convention against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance, whose negotiation will continue next year. The current draft already includes sexual orientation and gender identity and expression as protected categories.
These achievements are the results of a collective working process started at the end of 2006 by Global Rights, Mulabi - Espacio Latinoamericano de Sexualidades y Derechos and IGLHRC – Latin America and the Caribbean (International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission), aiming at strengthening the participation of the regional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Travesti and Inter-sex (LGBTTTI) movement as component of the civil society within the OAS.

In this frame, from the 29th to the 31st of May, more than 20 activists of different sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions from 16 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean met in Medellín to work on a strategy for participation and visibility in this quintessential moment of the political life of the OAS. This event was possible thanks to the support of Global Fund for Women, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, IGLHRC, Global Rights and MULABI.

On May 31^st the informal dialogue between the Secretary General of the OAS José Miguel Insulza and civil society took place: within this space the LGBTTTI groups had the chance to intervene three times, and one of the interventions was applauded by the audience. The Secretary General took in great account the issues raised by the activists, underlining the question of the resolution presented by Brazil and the importance of the participation of the representatives of our Coalition in this process.

Fourteen year-old Camilo Rojas of Colombia, read the declaration of the Coalition (see the text below). The document, making reference to the topic of the Assembly “Youth and democratic values”, highlighted the situation of human rights violation suffered by LGBTTTI children and youth. The declaration obtained the applause of the civil society participants as well as the official delegations, and was circulated in English and Spanish to the heads of delegations.

AG/RES. 2435 (XXXVIII-O/08)

Members of the LGBTTTI movement and allies attending the 38th session of the General Assembly of the OAS:

Belissa Andia (Instituto Runa – Secretaría Trans ILGA, Peru)

Caleb Orozco (United Belize Advocacy Movement, Belize)

Camila Zabala (Aireana, Paraguay)

Camilo Rojas, Sentimos Diverso, Colombia)

Cindy Loren (GATTA, Brazil)

Claudia Spellmant (Colectivo Travesti de San Pedro Sula, Honduras)

Edmilson Medeiros (Red Afro LGBT y Articulação Politica das Juventudes Negras, Brazil)

Germán Rincón Perfetti (Asociación. Lideres en acción, Colombia)

Javier Minnota Minnota (AfroAmérica XXI, Colombia)

July Betances (Colectiva Mujer y Salud, Dominican Republic)

Marcelo Ferreyra (IGLHRC, Argentina)

Marina Bernal (Mulabi, Mexico-Colombia)

Michel Riquelme (Organización de Transexuales por la Dignidad de la Diversidad, Chile)

Natasha Jiménez (Mulabi, Costa Rica)

Sandra Montealegre (Mesa Joven por la Diversidad Sexual, Colombia)

Sara Hoyos (Independent Activist, Colombia)

Silvia Martínez (Red LAC/Trans, Nicaragua)

Stefano Fabeni (Global Rights, USA)

Tamara Adrian (DIVERLEX, Venezuela)

Tatiana Cordero (Taller Comunicación Mujer, Ecuador)

Maurice Tomlinson (Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, Jamaica)

(Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination SASOD, Guyana)

HUMAN RIGHTS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND GENDER IDENTITY

(Adopted at the fourth plenary session, held on June 3, 2008)

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

REAFFIRMING:

That the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in that Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status;

That the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man establishes that every human being has the right to life, liberty, and the security of the person;

CONSIDERING that the OAS Charter proclaims that the historic mission of America is to offer to man a land of liberty and a favorable environment for the development of his personality and the realization of his just aspirations;

REAFFIRMING the principles of universality, indivisibility, and interdependence of human rights; and

TAKING NOTE with concern acts of violence and related human rights violations perpetrated against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity,

RESOLVES:

1. To express concern about acts of violence and related human rights violations committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

2. To request that the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs (CAJP) include on its agenda, before the thirty-ninth regular session of the General Assembly, the topic of “Human rights, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”

3. To request the Permanent Council to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-ninth regular session on the implementation of this resolution, the execution of which shall be subject to the resources allocated in the program-budget of the Organization and other resources.

MEDELLIN DECLARATION OF THE COALITION OF LESBIANS, GAYS, BISEXUALS, TRAVESTI, TRANSSEXUALS, TRANSGENDERS AND INTERSEX ORGANISATIONS OF THE AMERICAS[1].

Mister Secretary General, Ministers, Members of the Official Delegations, Civil Society Representatives,

We, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, travesti, transsexual, transgender and intersex organizations, convened in Medellin, Colombia on May 29, 30 and 31, 2008, in accordance with directives established by the General Assembly of the OAS in its resolutions AG/RES.2092(XXXV-O/05); CP/RES.759(1217/99); 840(1361/03); AG/RES.1707(XXX-O/00) and AG/RES.1915(XXXIII-O/03), which determine a regulatory framework to enhance and strengthen civil society participation in OAS activities and in the Summit of the Americas process, are concerned that in the draft declaration of Medellín “Youth and democratic values” there are no references to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, even though they were part of the recommendations from the civil society meeting in Washington, from the 10th to the 14th of March, 2008.

Our reality as youth is characterized by the violation of the right to life; we are victims of torture, genital mutilations, forced medical surgery and sexual violence. Our rights to health, education, identity, work and participation are denied. We are constantly victims of stigmatization and exclusion in our families and in society as a whole. Our visibility and the right to our social and legal identities are also denied. All these rights violations are caused by social, cultural and religious prejudices that destroy our dignity as citizens.

All our rights are systematically violated in all countries of the hemisphere.

Since this reality contradicts the essence of the democratic values of the OAS, we recommend:

• That Member States recognize the existence of diversity in sexual orientation, gender identity and expression among young persons. This includes recognizing the rights to change name and sex in our legal documents without requiring genital mutilation.
• That Member States promote the respect for diversity in sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in education and media to build a just, equitable and inclusive society.
• That Member States ensure, especially to youth, full access to education, health, employment and occupation without discrimination; in case of rights violations within families and communities of origin to provide services sensitive to the needs of young persons
• That Member States repeal all criminalizing and discriminatory legislation, and promote cultural, social and institutional changes which are aimed at preventing and punishing discrimination and violence, and thereby fully guaranteeing our rights.
• That the General Assembly approves the draft Resolution CP/CAJP-2626/08 “Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” presented by the Brazilian Delegation, whose initiative we fully endorse. At the same time we urge all Member States to support the above mentioned resolution.
• That the General Assembly approves the draft Resolution AG/doc4794/08 “Draft Inter-American Convention against Racism and all Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance” and that Member States commit themselves to finalizing the negotiation of the draft accepting the substantive progress achieved during the past year.

We believe that, as long as discrimination and intolerance against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, travesti, transsexuals, transgenders and intersex continue unpunished in our societies, there will neither be democratic values for youth, nor will there be democracy for all.

[1] The link to see the video is:

http://www.oas.org/OASpage/videosasf/2008/06/ROJAS_sociedadcivil_1junio%20019.wmv

Homophobia: Impeding access to health education and services in Guyana

SASOD joins with other organisations and countries (including Cuba and Costa Rica) around the world to
commemorate May 17 as International Day Against Homophobia. This day is the anniversary on which the
World Health Organisation removed ‘homosexuality’ as a mental disorder marking a formal end to medical
homophobia.


This year, SASOD observes International Day Against Homophobia under the theme “Homophobia: Impeding
access to health education and services for all Guyanese.”


A community consultation recently held by the Youth Friendly Services programme at the Adolescent Unit of
the Ministry of Health revealed that persons faced discrimination based on their perceived or actual
sexual orientation and gender identity at the hands of health care workers and auxiliary staff when utilising
the public health system. Access to health services in Guyana can be improved by providing anti-homophobia
training for health care workers and auxiliary staff to mitigate same-gender and HIV-related stigma. As the
quality of client services improve, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Guyanese will gain
confidence that the public health system does not house homophobic prejudices and allow discriminatory
practices.    



Detrimental effects of homophobia on HIV health promotion also affect all Guyanese. Heterosexuals
still often shun the benefits of HIV education for its ‘gay’ stigma while LGBT Guyanese are driven
underground, away from critical life-saving information. It is with this in mind that the Spectrum
Health Net project was designed to cater for the invisibility of many to targeted prevention
programmes. While web-based dissemination is useful where literacy is adequate and internet accessible,
without meaningful face-to-face engagements, we lose a powerful tool in providing AIDS services, including
HIV prevention. 



Recent reports received by community advocates of young men being raped by other men in and around the
capital city and the reluctance of male victims to report these heinous crimes to the police and access
victim support services, including Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV, also point to the urgent need for
law reform and health services to address sexual and gender-based violence. Reforming the law on sexual
offences should include provisions to ensure that male victims of rape are not re-victimised by health care workers and police who have a mandate to ensure that
all cases are rigorously investigated and prosecuted.
In addition, these crimes further underscore the priority for repeal of section 351 of the Criminal Law
Offences Chapter 8:01 which criminalises consensual sex between adult men in private and only serves to
reinforce same-gender stigma and anti-social prejudices. 



SASOD acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Health, National AIDS Programme Secretariat and the
World Bank through the Guyana AIDS Prevention and Control Project, administered by the Health Sector
Development Unit, in supporting the development and implementation of the Spectrum Health Net project.
Recognising the role that homophobia plays impeding access to health services and education, Spectrum
Health Net was designed to provide holistic Information, Education and Communication materials
primarily through web-based formats which include special pages for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender (LGBT) people. This project has resulted in the development of the website at
http://www.sasod.org.gy and other supporting materials which will be launched at 15:00 hrs on Monday, May 19,
at the National Library Conference Room on Church Street, Georgetown.

SASOD's comments on UNGASS Country Progress Report for Guyana

Guyana's UNGASS Country Progress Report is available from Guyana's National AIDS Programme website

Programmatic Response

The approach to health promotion targeting vulnerable sub-populations of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) is still based on narrow, technical public-health strategies of outreach and referral to “friendly” services. The programmatic response needs to be holistic by improving the quality of client services across the board through training to mitigate same-gender and HIV-related stigma by addressing homophobia among health care workers. Once services become and are know to be client-friendly, there will be less need to invest in “targeting MSM” as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) communities in Guyana would gain confidence that the public-health system does not house homophobic prejudices and allow discriminatory practices. Training and sensitization of providers is specifically mentioned as a recommendation in the HIV-AIDS Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Strategy for Guyana 2006-2010 (see pg. 37).

Prevention

The fourth aim of the 2006 and 2007 campaigns is stated as “reaching high risk groups,” under which the vulnerable sub-populations of gay, bisexual and other MSM are classified. As stated in the BCC Strategy document as well, it is categorically clear that stigma and discrimination drive MSM away from health care seeking behaviour, which includes testing for HIV. To date there have been no BCC campaigns to address what is probably the gravest barrier to universal access among MSM, that is, mitigating stigma and discouraging societal discrimination which often accompanies these homophobic prejudices. The suggestion that “a focused effort on increasing access to condoms by high-risk groups with the strategic placement of condom vending machines at high traffic locations, for example, bars and clubs” (UNGASS Country Progress Report, pg 22) is an effective BCC strategy in a cultural environment in which stigma against same-sex practices, sex work and sex among youth are widespread is unsatisfactory.

Ironically enough, the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) is one of the public-health institutions which promote homophobia by stigmatizing ‘men who have sex with men’ and ‘women who have sex with women(WSW)" as prohibited groups for blood donation. The fact that WSW, who are considered at low risk for HIV infection, is listed provides irrefutable evidence that the NBTS policy is rooted in same-gender stigma which was common early in the epidemic (when AIDS was considered the ‘plague’ for homosexuals).

SASOD and the Guyana Rainbow Association (Guybow) have raised these concerns in official correspondence with the Head of NBTS and the Minister of Health (copied to UNAIDS and PAHO/WHO) to which we have received no reply. For good practices in this area, we need not look further than our fellow CARICOM member state, St. Lucia, where potential blood donors are asked about the number of sexual partners in their sexual history, and are not questioned about the gender of their partners.

It is noted that while programmes aimed at benefiting other vulnerable sub-populations have began to take shape only “some work has been done with MSM.” It is also of concern that narrow, public-health approaches of peer education and outreach seem to be the programmatic response to HIV among MSM. SASOD would like to emphatically state that health-promotion programmes which do not address the political, legal, social, economic and cultural factors of marginalization and exclusion that create vulnerability and thereby put MSM at risk will only have minimal impact as the benefits of increased HIV awareness can only be sustained in socio-cultural environments which facilitate behaviour change by supporting same-sex practicing men. It is also noted that there are plans to fully implement the MSM programme in 2008. SASOD anxiously awaits to see the approach of this programme and how it will involve in design and implementation gay, bisexual and other MSM and those who work with GLBT communities.

Major Challenges and Remedial Actions

Despite the horrendous statistic of 21.2% HIV prevalence among MSM from the BSS (2005) and Guyana’s poor-track record of meaningfully responding to the epidemic among MSM, the UNGASS Country Progress Report limits its challenges to “general discrimination against PLHIV” and does not include the real challenge of same-gender stigma as well. As such the recommend remedial actions are technical responses which will only create more programmatic structures, which need coordination and support, and do not reverse the epidemic. SASOD encourages a more holistic approach to responding to the epidemic which addresses the political, legal, social, cultural and economic conditions that allow the epidemic to flourish in Guyana.

Submitted to the Guyana National AIDS Committee
March 2008
email : sasod_guyana@yahoo.com

Leadership is Needed to Denounce Homophobic Violence in Jamaica

(Photographs of event held outside the office of the Jamaican Consul in Barbados on 14 Feb, 2008)


Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) – Guyana is deeply concerned over the continuous acts of violence towards Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) persons in Jamaica. The recent mob attack on January 29 in Mandeville by some 20 persons against 4 young men they believed to be gay is the latest of a repeated pattern of vigilantism towards men and women in Jamaica motivated by a disapproval of their sexual identity or gender expression. It reaffirms the perilous climate towards life and liberty that violence is creating across the Caribbean region. It also calls profoundly into question our transformation as a region, with independence, into modern, inclusive democracies, and our success in moving ourselves beyond the violence and vicious inequities of slavery, indentureship and colonialism.

The lack of response and official silence by state institutions and authorities has significantly contributed to this ongoing problem. Governments have a moral responsibility to ensure all are protected by law and none are excluded from equal protection. The absence of public policy and law reform to deal with hate crimes rooted in homophobia and to prevent all forms of violence and discrimination serves to breed these rampant homophobic attacks.

As Guyanese we know too well the ruinousness of mob violence that targets people based on diversity and the social disintegration such violence sows for everyone. It is especially heartbreaking to our vision of post-independence Caribbean democracy when such violence targets those already hated, excluded and marginalised by stigma and prejudice.

What good are our own governments if they fail repeatedly to protect citizens from mob lynching and slaughter? What good are religious leaders if they struggle to condemn killing and maiming others? The silence of both political and religious leaders in both word and action sends signals to the masses that they can be judge, jury and executioner in attacking, persecuting and lynching individuals whether perceived or known to be gay. This has fermented an unstable environment of rabid homophobia and virulent intolerance in Jamaica reflected and amplified in the lyrics of some dancehall performers who glorify the lynching and killing of homosexuals in their music.


Why does the Caribbean cling tenaciously to slavery-era laws written from the same pens as the ones that institutionalized ownership and trade in human beings? Why does a country where female sexuality is ruthlessly glorified in public imagery feel such a compelling need to police consensual sex between adult men? People use the existence of these laws to justify personal and group lynchings of those who offend their sense of appropriate sexual or gender-based conduct, and pretend this is the exercise of some moral authority.

It is past time for the Jamaican government to act like one. SASOD calls on Prime Minister Bruce Golding, all of Jamaica’s state institutions and authorities, who have by word and inaction significantly contributed to this ongoing problem, to intervene aggressively to protect all Jamaicans from violence and discrimination, particularly on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. It is time for Jamaica’s political parties to stop electioneering over who can be more backward in promising to preserve institutional homophobia.

Violence in Jamaica is an enormous problem with the island nation stained with the highest per capita murder rate in the Americas. This epidemic of violence is certainly not limited to those perceived to be gay, and is not an easy problem for the best of governments to address. But simple acts of political will and voices of leadership can go far in reversing the neglect of the government in allowing a climate of violent intolerance towards homosexuality to persist. Send a clear message that violence against people whose sexual behaviour or gender expression you don’t like is criminal and prosecute it as vigorously as any other crime, instead of advising that they should ‘hold their corners.’ Embrace efforts to decriminalize sexual behaviours that have no victims. Even if these efforts would yield little result, a responsible and unbiased government would at least try them.

Jamaica’s people are brilliant, resourceful and play a unique role in the region’s history, politics and sports. But any claim she has to leadership of the Caribbean is excised by her growing regional and international reputation as a symbol of anti-gay violence ignored. Jamaica must reverse this disturbing trend if she is to re-gain her place as an island paradise in the Caribbean.

Signatories on behalf of SASOD:

Joel Simpson, Stacey Gomes, Vidyaratha Kissoon, Namela Henry, Jermaine Grant, Dion Small, Kelvin Broughton, Reyana Mc Kenzie, Keimo Benjamin, Kesaundra Alves and Anton Rocke.

SASOD Statement on Bartica murders

SASOD extends condolences to the relatives and friends of the murdered victims of the attack on Bartica. SASOD also extends condolences to the relatives and friends of University of Guyana student, Dennis Edghill Jr. It is mind-boggling that although there were so many witnesses, the police have made no arrests as yet or requested information on the location of the suspect of this blatant murder.
This recent attack in Bartica seems to be aimed at demoralising a police force which is ill-equipped to cope with this level of crime. There have been many calls for reform of the Guyana Police Force and now more than ever, these calls must be taken seriously and action must be taken on implementing the recommendations of the various reports which dealt with reforming our disciplined forces. The Guyana Police Force should be able to request the assistance it needs to investigate these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.
SASOD recognises that there is a desire for revenge, and urges that this desire should not cloud thorough and systematic investigation of the crimes. The human rights of persons who are being questioned should not be violated.
The opening of lines of communication between the Government and other stakeholders is welcomed. SASOD urges all Guyanese to support initiatives aimed at constructive discussion and at promoting communal healing.

Statement on Lusignan atrocities

SASOD extends its condolences to the families and
loved ones of the six children and five adults killed
in Lusignan on Saturday morning. We urge that full
support is given to the persons who survived this
massacre, especially the children.

As a society, we seem to have dealt with the violence
which escalated since 2002 on the East Coast by
becoming desensitised to the news of murders which
happen far from us. The more gruesome pictures in
sections of the print media have done little to
galvanise change, but rather it has allowed us to
become dispassionate about murder and violence. There
seems to be little improvement in the capacity of the
security forces to bring the perpetrators of crime to
justice.

Not only has crime grown more sophisticated, but the
pathology of the criminals seems to indicate total
disregard for life and a savagery which seems to have
caught the society completely off guard. The security
forces should then receive all support in order to
deal with this extremity of murder and violence and
should be able to request that support from within and
outside of Guyana.

In a society in which our diversity has been
manipulated to pit us against each other, SASOD urges
all Guyanese to use the expressions of our collective
anger and grief to continue to advocate for the
changes needed in our society to ensure that all
citizens can enjoy a safe and secure life.

STATEMENT BY A GROUP OF CONCERNED CARIBBEAN CITIZENS CALLING FOR FULL AND PUBLIC REVIEW OF THE CARIFORUM-EC ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (EPA)

SASOD has joined with the group of citizens calling for a review of the recent EPA
We note with interest the recent statement by President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana in which he observed that the Caribbean stands to gain little from the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) recently negotiated with Europe. President Jagdeo stated that the agreement was concluded against the backdrop of a threat that tariffs would be imposed on Caribbean exports of sugar, bananas and manufactured goods to the European community as of January 1st 2008 if the region did not meet the timeline of December 31, 2007 -- the date when the Cotonou Agreement was set to expire. He suggested that the shift from the principle of preferential trade to one of reciprocity introduces a new set of challenges that the Caribbean is ill equipped to face.

We welcome the candour with which President Jagdeo has now raised several issues that have so far been overlooked by other government leaders, officials and negotiators in the public discussion of the EPA to the extent warranted by the far-reaching consequences of the legally and permanently binding articles of the agreement. We believe that the Caribbean public was not kept fully abreast of the potential implications of the EPA for the course of the region's economic relations, not only with Europe, but with all other trading partners as it may become a blueprint for future trade negotiations. It is regrettable that Caribbean governments and responsible officials did not keep the public better informed about the progress of the negotiations and the 'bullying' and 'broken promises' by Europe to which the President of Guyana referred. We believe that opportunities must be found to remedy this deficit in the future, and that the situation calls for full disclosure, for public explanation of the shortcomings as well as any anticipated benefit of the EPA, and for open participation in a discussion of its implications for our economies and for the livelihoods of our peoples.

It is our understanding that the EPA is due to be signed by Cariforum Ministers on March 15 and to be provisionally applied from April 1. After that, Caribbean countries will be locked in for all time to the provisions of this legally binding instrument. It will be very difficult, and in all likelihood very costly, to amend the EPA after it comes into force. We are urgently proposing that more time and opportunity be provided for a full and public review of the EPA in order that all its aspects are explained and understood and relevant objections taken into account.

January 18, 2008.

Signatures

Andaiye, Red Thread, Guyana

David Abdulah, President, Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGOs (FITUN), Trinidad and Tobago

Association of Development Agencies, Kingston, Jamaica

Hazel Brown, Coordinator, Network of NGOs of Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement of Women

Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA) Regional Secretariat, Trinidad and Tobago

Komal Chand, President, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union

Flavia Cherry, National Representative, Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA) – St. Lucia, ASPIRE St. Lucia and the St. Lucia National Organization of Women

Annalee Davis, Independent Visual Artist, Barbados

Dr. Norman Girvan, Professorial Research Fellow, Institute of International Relations at the UWI, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

Dr. Cecilia Greene, Sociologist, Dominica/USA

Cathal Healy-Singh, Environmental Engineer, Rights Action Group, Trinidad and Tobago

Dr. Claremont Kirton, Head, Department of Economics, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica

Josanne Leonard, Caribbean Cultural Industries Network

Dr. Patsy Lewis, Senior Fellow, Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies, University of the West Indies, Mona.

Dr. Brian Meeks, Professor of Social and Political Change, Director, Centre

for Caribbean Thought, Department of Government, University of the West Indies, Mona.

Ian MacDonald, writer, past Chief Executive Officer of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean

Dr. Woodville Marshall, Emeritus Professor, University of the West Indies

Dr. Debbie Mohammed, Specialist, International Trade and Competitiveness

Shantal Munro- Knight, Snr Programme Officer Caribbean Policy Development Centre

Dr. Dennis Pantin, Head, Department of Economics, St. Augustine Campus, University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago

PAPDA (Haitian Advocacy Platform for an Alternative Development)

Dr. Kari Polanyi-Levitt, Emeritus Professor, McGill University, Montreal

Dr. Rhoda Reddock, Social Scientist, Trinidad and Tobago

Regional Executive Committee of the Assembly of Caribbean People (ACP)

Cecil Ryan, Managing Director, Projects Promotion Limited, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Sir Ronald Sanders - Business Executive, Writer and former Ambassador to the WTO

Dr. C. Y. Thomas, Distinguished Professor, University of Guyana

Dr. Alissa Trotz, Sociologist, University of Toronto

Judith Wedderburn, Coalition for Community Participation in Governance (CCPG)

Dr. Michael Witter, Department of Economics, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica