Celebrating its diamond,
10th anniversary, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD)
hosted a series of activities at Moray House on Camp and Quamina Streets on
Monday, June 24. A20-minute documentary
titled “SASOD at 10”
highlighting SASOD’s work on equality in Guyana over the past decade was
launched. The film’s Producer, renowned local journalist, Gordon Moseley, in
his remarks, shared insights on making the documentary, and reflected on
SASOD’s growth since 2003, encouraging all Guyanese to support indigenous NGOs
like SASOD who are working on issues related to human rights and equality in
the country.
Ten
diamond-shaped plaques were then presented as appreciation awards to
organisations and individuals who have supported SASOD’s work on equality for
lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality over the years. Guest
speaker, Pandit Deodat Tillack, in his feature remarks, emphasized the need for
human beings to live in harmony without prejudice to others, and emphatically
thanked the awardees for their support to SASOD, re-affirming his own as well.
Pandit
Deodat Tillack delivering his feature remarks.
The
10 appreciation awards were presented by SASOD representatives in these
categories:
Media
1.
Print
Media: Stabroek News
2.
Broadcast
Media: HBTV Channel 9 First Look News
3.
Internet
Media: Demerara Waves
4.
Journalist:
Johann Earle
Civil
Society
5.
Civil
Society Group: Red Thread
6.
Civil
Society Ally: Ms. Margaret Lawrence
Private
Sector
7.
Private
Sector Entity: Sidewalk Café & Jazz Club
8.
Private
Sector Ally: Mr. Clinton Urling
Specific
Sectors
9.
Human
Rights Lawyer: Mr. Gino Persaud
10. Faith Leader: Bishop Francis
Alleyne, O.S.B.
SASOD’s
10th anniversary cake was cut by Mr. Frédéric Roberts, Programme
Manager for External Relations of the Regional Section at the Delegation of the
European Union (EU), and Ms. Zenita Nicholson, Secretary of SASOD’s trusteeship
board, whose birthday was that day. The EU is one of SASOD’s principal donors through
a partnership with UK-based INGO, Equal Rights Trust, with funding from the
European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights.
Mr.
Frédéric Roberts and Ms. Zenita Nicholson cutting the 10th
anniversary cake.
Ms.
Joan McDonald, Administrator of Moray House Trust, cut the ribbon to open the
week-long “SASOD at 10” photo-exhibition. SASOD trustee Ms. Ulelli Verbeke - the
photographer who captured the images and curated the photo-exhibition - was
also at Moray House on Monday.
Ms. Joan Mc Donald
cuts ribbon to open SASOD’s photo-exhibition at Moray House.
SASOD’s
Advocacy and Communications Officer, Mr. Leon Bacchus, who chaired the day’s
activities, commented that “this event showcases the evolution and some of
the progress SASOD has made over the years through its work on LGBT human
rights in Guyana and I am proud to share these achievements with the public.
SASOD will continue to hold public events like these to reach out and further
inform and sensitize members of the public about LGBT issues in Guyana.”
SASOD’s 10th anniversary events were
supported by British High Commission Georgetown and the UK Foreign and
Commonwealth Office, as well as the DC-based Centre for Black Equity.
The
“SASOD at 10” documentary can be viewed on SASOD’s YouTube channel at:
Vacancies exist within
Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) for the following
positions:
Programme Coordinator
The Programme
Coordinator will be responsible for:
Leading
a small team in the implementation of programme activities according to
agreed timelines;
Building
and maintaining networks of Civil Society Organizations, community,
religious and political stakeholders;
Supporting
the execution of workshops and meetings with stakeholders and partner
organizations;
Overseeing
the delivery of advocacy and awareness related initiatives and activities;
Mentoring
and supervising the work of contractors;
Overseeing
the functioning of the SASOD programme office;
Working
with donor partners in developing content for effective programmes and
activities;
Recruiting
external contractors as necessary;
Reporting
to donors and partners on project deliverables;
Identifying
and mobilizing funding opportunities for SASOD, including writing
proposals;
Working
with SASOD to identify and develop initiatives to promote equality, human
rights and access to justice for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
(LGBT) citizens.
Qualifications and Experience:
At least a Bachelor’s Degree in
Management, Social Sciences, Communication, English or other relevant
discipline;
A minimum of 3 years’
experience in a similar or relevant field;
Experience
working with and/or demonstrated commitment to marginalized groups,
including LGBT communities.
Administrative
Assistant
The Administrative Assistant will provide
the following services
Providing clerical and general office services including filing
documents and other materials
Taking minutes at meetings
Supporting procurement
functions of the Finance Assistant and other contractors;
Assisting the Advocacy and
Communications Officer in media monitoring and other duties;
Organising meetings and other
events;
Providing logistical support to
events, meetings, workshops and conferences;
Participating in the planning
of activities and events;
Sharing information and
promoting activities utilizing social media and other forms of ICT
Delivering and uplifting
correspondences and packages as needed
Any other administrative duties
assigned accordingly.
Qualifications and Experience
Minimum of 5 CXC subjects which
must include English and Mathematics
Relevant tertiary education or
training.
Experience in a similar post.
Additional Requirements
The Administrative
Assistant must have or cover his/her own means of transportation to provide the
required services. The monthly contract fee is inclusive of transportation
allowance.
How to Apply:
All applications must include: Letter of Interest,
Resume and a statement of 150
words on LGBT rights in Guyana for submission via email to sasod_guyana@yahoo.com.
Emails must be titled as follows:
1. Vacancy: Programme Coordinator
2. Vacancy: Administrative Assistant
DEADLINE: 17:00 hrs on Monday, July 1, 2013 via email tosasod_guyana @yahoo.com
To request Terms of Reference, send email to: sasod_guyana@yahoo.com
Painting the Spectrum 9: SASOD's LGBT Film Festival 2013
Come
out, join us as we journey together through this and other
documentaries and films in celebration of our diversity for the next month.
Date: June 2nd, 2013 - June 25th, 2013
Every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
From: 7pm each night
Venue: Side Walk Café, Middle Street, Georgetown
Admission: FREE
All films are intended for mature audiences, persons must be 18yrs and older.
See
you there!
MOVIE SCHEDULE
Sunday, June 2nd
The
SKINNY
Origin:
U.S.A
Language:
English
Duration:100 Minutes
The SKINNY is a 2012 American romantic comedy drama film from the creator of the LOGO television series, Noah's Arc. It is a sharply scripted comedy about a group of four young black gay men
and their lesbian best friend. They arrange to meet up in New York City one year after
their graduation from Brown University. Their plans for a weekend of fun start
off well, relaxed in each other’s company as only old friends can be. But old
tensions quickly resurface. Drinking, drugs, hidden desires and the demands of
promiscuity put friendship, trust and even lives at risk
Monday, June 3rd
A
New Flavor - Short Film
Origin:
U.S.A
Language:
English
Duration:
9 Minutes
After
a series of failure in relationship, a young woman decides to give up on men
and forget about love... until a best friend suggests a new quest to find love,
only this time it'd be with women.
THEN
My
Normal
Origin:
U.S.A
Language:
English
Duration:
77 Minutes
Story of Natalie, a young lesbian
from the Lower East Side, who's struggling to find a balance between her dreams of becoming a film maker
and her lifestyle as a dominatrix. Her exotic looks and unconventional
techniques make her one of the most desirable mistresses in the NYC
underground. After befriending her weed dealer and igniting a steamy love
affair with her new girl, Natalie gets an internship on a real movie set. But
if everything she ever wanted is becoming a reality, why is her life falling
apart? When it seems that all is lost, Natalie realizes that the only way to
turn her dreams into reality is to use her unique talents as a dominatrix to
get exactly what she wants.
Tuesday, June 4th
Born
This Way Documentary
Origin:
Cameroon
Language:
French with English subtitles
Duration:
85 Minutes
“Born
This Way” is a portrait of the underground gay and lesbian community in Cameroon. It follows Cedric
and Gertrude, two young Cameroonians, as they move between a secret supportive
LGBT community and an outside culture that, though intensely homophobic, is in
transition toward greater acceptance.
Sunday, June 9th
My Wardrobe, My Right- Documentary
Origin:
Guyana
Language:
English
Duration: 20 Minutes
“My
Wardrobe, My Right” explores the
issues related to the criminalization of cross-dressing in Guyana. It captures
the stories of Peaches and Gulliver, two transgender Guyanese who were arrested in the February 2009 crackdowns
for cross dressing. Hear the views of
Gino Persaud, representing the litigants in the constitutional suit against Guyana’s laws which penalise
cross-dressing. The film's producer is
Neil Marks.
THEN
You
Are Not Alone - The Documentary
Origin:
U.S.A
Language:
English
Duration:
65 Minutes
“You Are Not Alone” produced by NYABJ Award winner
and Guyanese, Antoine B Craigwell is a little more than a run-of-the-mill film. While containing the basic
elements of its genre – interviews with subjects telling their stories and mental health
professionals placing these experiences and anecdotes in perspective, and at
the same time presenting relevant statistics to support their respective positions; it nudges the envelope
of understanding and acceptance a
little further along. While the film maintains the hard hitting
edge of a documentary, it gently blurs the line between what is and what could
be, moving into the realm of a docu-drama,and illuminating through examples,
many of the underlying
issues Black gay men are dealing with, but never talked about.
Monday, June 10th
Eyes
Wide Open
Origin:
Israel
Language:
Hebrew with English subtitle
Duration:
90 Minutes
A
man who acknowledges a side of himself he's kept hidden for decades must decide
between love, loyalty, and faith in this drama from filmmaker Haim Tabakman set
in Jerusalem. Aaron (Zohar Strauss) is an
orthodox Jew in his mid-thirties who helps run a kosher butcher shop opened
by his father. Aaron is married to Rivka (Ravit "Tinkerbell" Rozen) and they have four sons, but he
often feels something is missing from his life. One day, a 19-year-old yeshiva
student, Ezri (Ran
Danker), stops by the; when Aaron learns Ezri is homeless, he offers to make the youngster his apprentice
and gives him a room. Aaron and Ezri strike up a fast friendship, but in time
their feelings become deeper, and during a communal bath they act on the
desires that have been growing between them. Aaron finds himself torn between
his loyalty to his family and his
growing love for Ezri, and his dilemma becomes even more pointed when Rabbi
Vaisben (Tzahi Grad) asks him to join him in his "Purity Police"
group, who pay threatening visits to people in the community who are falling
short in the eyes of the congregation. Einaym Pkuhot (aka Eyes Wide Open) was
an official selection at the 2009
Cannes Film Festival, where it was screened as part of the "Un Certain
Regard" program.
Tuesday, June 11th
Facing
Mirrors
Origin:
Iran/
Language:
Persian with English subtitles
Duration:
102 Minutes
Directed
by Negar Azarbaijani, Mirrorstogether the lives of two women with different
social and cultural backgrounds.
The film won the prize at the 2nd edition of Iranian Film Festival Australia held in five cities of Brisbane,
Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney on October, 2012. One of the
Australian festival directors, Anne Démy-Geroe, dedicated the award during a
ceremony recently held in Tehran.
The
movie won the Best Feature-length movie Award at the 2012 San Francisco International LGBT Film
Festival as well as the Best Narrative Feature Award at the 2012 International
Three Dollar Bill Cinema in Seattle
Sunday, June 16th, Father's Day Feature:
Gun
Hill Road
Origin:
U.S.A
Language:
English
Duration:
86 Minutes
After three years in prison, Enrique returns home to the Bronx to find the world he knew has changed. His wife, Angela struggles to hide an emotional affair, and his teenage son, Michael explores a sexual transformation well beyond Enrique's grasp and understanding. Unable to accept his child, Enrique clings to his masculine ideals while Angela attempts to hold the family together by protecting Michael. Still under the watchful eye of his parole officer, Enrique must become the father he needs to be or, once again, risk losing his family and freedom.
Monday, June 17th
Elena Undone
Origin:
U.S.A
Language:
English
Duration: 111 Minutes
A wife and mother finds true love in an unexpected place in
this independent romantic drama from filmmaker Nicole Conn. Elena (Necar
Zadegan) is the wife of Barry (Gary Weeks) and the mother of a teenage son,
Nash (Connor Kramme). Barry is a pastor who has been active in a local campaign
to prevent the legalization of same-sex marriage; while Barry speaks with vigor
against gays, he's prompted more by the whims of well-to-do members of the
congregation than his own feelings, and Elena is quietlyappalled by his actions. Barry is
also eager to have another child while Elena is not, adding to the emotional
gulf between them. While seeing a relationship therapist, Elena meets Peyton
(Traci Dinwiddie), a successful writer whose work deals with her struggle to
overcome agoraphobia. Elena is an accomplished photographer, and when Peyton
asks if she'd like to contribute pictures to an upcoming project, she
immediately agrees. As Elena spends more time with Peyton, she becomes aware
that her new friend is a lesbian, and their mutual admiration gives way to
deeper feelings. Elena realizes she's fallen in love with Peyton, and must decide
if she should end her loveless marriage to pursue a relationship that is
entirely new to her; Peyton, meanwhile, has fallen for Elena, but has just
gotten out of a failing relationship and isn't sure she can start a new romance
so soon.
Tuesday, June 18th
Fagbug
- Documnetary
Origin:
U.S.A
Language:
English
Duration:
83 Minutes
On the 11th Annual National Day of Silence, Erin Davies was victim to a hate crime in Albany, New York. Because of sporting a rainbow sticker on her VW Beetle, Erin's car was vandalized, left with the words "fag" and "u r gay" placed on the driver's side window and hood of her car. Despite initial shock and embarrassment, Erin decided to embrace what happened by leaving the graffiti on her car. She took her car, now known worldwide as the "fagbug," on a 58-day trip around the United States and Canada. Along the way, Erin discovered other, more serious hate crimes, had people attempt to remove the graffiti, and experimented with having a male drive her car. After driving the fagbug for one year, Erin decided to give her car a makeover.
Sunday, June 23rd
Last
Chance
Origin:
Canada
Language:
English
Duration: 85 Minutes
Last
Chanceis a 2012 documentary by-Émile d'Entremont is about five LGBT people seeking the right of
asylum in Canada in order to escape
persecution or violence in their homelands. Subjects in the film include a transgender woman who was
institutionalized by her family in Lebanon, an LGBT person jailed in Egypt, as
well as Trudi, a Jamaican lesbian who was "correctively raped" at
gunpoint. Further it reveals the hurdles they face integrating into Canada- fear of deportation as they anxiously
await a decision that will change their lives forever.
The film premiered at the 2012 Atlantic Film Festival. It was also streamed free of charge at NFB.ca from December 7 to 9, 2012, to mark Human Rights Day.Awards for the film include the La Vague/Léonard Forest award for best medium- or feature-length Acadian film at the Festival international du cinéma francophone en Acadie in Moncton, New Brunswick.
Monday, June 24
Amar Ki Etoi Bhinno (Are We So Different)
Origin:
India
Language:
Hindi with English subtitles
Duration:
36 Minutes
This
film talks about a range of masculinities. Different people have unique
experiences of coping and surviving in Bangladesh, a country often ruled by
strict masculine and patriarchal ideals. This is arguably the first documentary
film set in Bangladesh where interviewees spoke openly about themselves and
their relationships, bringing up issues of sexuality and masculinity—the love
for it or lack of it!
THEN
Out
Late - Documentary
Origin:
U.S.A
Language:
English
Duration:
62 Minutes
“Out
Late” is an inspirational and moving documentary about five individuals who
made the courageous and life altering decision to “come out” as senior citizens. Their stories are nothing
less than extraordinary: many
lived straight lives complete with marriage and children, and now face the
challenge of beginning again late in life. Why did they wait until their 50’s,
60’s, or 70’s to come out? And what was the turning point that caused each of
them to openly declare their sexuality? From Canada to Florida, to Kansas, we
explore what ultimately led these dynamic individuals to make the liberating
choice to live openly and honestly amongst their family, friends and community...perhaps
for the first time in their lives.
Tuesday, June 25th
Leave
It On The Floor
Origin:
U.S.A
Language:
English
Duration:
102 Minutes
Thrown out of his home by his dysfunctional mother, Brad (rising
Broadway starSykes) steals her car and travels into Los Angeles where, through
a chance encounter, he stumbles into a noisy raucous, chaotic event and meets
the ragtag members of the struggling House of Eminence. Initially only looking
for a place to sleep (and perhaps someone to sleep with), Brad ends up engaging
with the colorful members of the house led by the indomitable house mother
Queef Latina (Barbie-Q), herself an aging ball-legend and the fierce
protectrice of her family. Laughter, tears, sex sirens, and butch queens up in
pumps ensue and remarkably, Brad ends up finding an extraordinary home and
loving, caring family in this, the strangest of places.
The festival concludes with...
PAINTINGOF THESPECTRUM
Remember…
Date: June 2nd, 2013 - June 25th, 2013
Every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
From: 7pm each night
Venue: Side Walk Café, Middle Street, Georgetown
Admission: FREE
All films are intended for mature audiences, persons must be 18yrs and older.
See you there!
Special Thanks To…
Astraea Lesbian Foundation for
Justice
Faith & Alison Bisram
Deon Small
Gavin Sharma
Antonine Craigwell, DBGM
Totaram Greg Jagroo
Khemraj Persaud
Chuvika Harilall
Erin Davies, FagBug
Beatrice Alda, Forever Films Inc
The Human Rights Law Centre at the University
of Nottingham
