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. A
20-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:
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