Friday, July 25, 2014

DECLARATION OF THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRAVESTI, TRANSSEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND INTERSEX COALITION OF THE AMERICAS BEFORE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE OAS.



AsunciĆ³n, Paraguay, June 4, 2014
Mr. Secretary General, Ministers, members of the official delegation, civil society colleagues:
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, travesti, transsexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTTTI) organizations gathered in the city of Asuncion, from 3 to 5 June 2014 in accordance with the guidelines established by the General Assembly of the OAS to determine a regulatory framework to increase and strengthen the participation of civil society in the OAS and the Summits of the Americas, state that:
The LGBTTTI collective express satisfaction with reference to the central theme of this Assembly ´´Development with Social Inclusion´´, on the grounds that exclusion, regardless of the reason, produces undesirable social and economic effects that must be taken into account by States. Social groups which are discriminated against are excluded from the benefits of development, have higher levels of poverty and are more vulnerable to violence.
For development to be inclusive, it needs to have a human rights perspective that takes into account the specific characteristics of populations experiencing discrimination; such as LGBTTTI, afro-descendants, indigenous people, people with disabilities, sex workers, senior citizens, people deprive of their liberty, among others.
The exclusion of one segment of the population from the benefits of development not only is a violation of their human rights, but also impoverishes the social capital of nations as a whole. There can be no full development if LGBTTTI people are marginalized regarding their right to education, work, health, justice.
Harassment and bullying of gays, lesbians and trans children and youth in schools, and in some cases their direct exclusion from the school system, denies them the necessary skills for later integration into the labor market. When this is combined with discrimination in hiring and arbitrary terminations due to homophobic prejudices, the result is that a large number of citizens are prevented from exercising their rights in the workplace. The resulting poverty is particularly evident in the case of transsexual and transgender people who suffer extreme employment discrimination, and the lesbian, whose marginalization is aggravated by sexism that affects them as women.
Measures to prevent and punish employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity are essential for the achievement of full development. The States must also implement affirmative action policies by offering professional and technical training of the LGBTTTI population, in order to make more effective those policies aimed at incorporating all social groups in development plans.
Another area of great concern for the LGBTTTI communities that of is safety and violence, given that Latin America and the Caribbean remains the region with the highest number of hate crimes. The majority of the countries in the region neither recognizes nor punish violence motivated by homophobia/transphobia/lesbophobia, which increases the vulnerability of this social group as well as increases impunity. For trans people, the lack of legal recognition of their identity puts them in a situation of insecurity that further exposes them to violence-including thatcommitted bythe police-andimpedes theiraccessto justice.
Our collective expresses its concern for the invisibilization of LGBTTTI persons in the CARICOM countries and for their failure to assume their political responsibilities. The lack of recognition of their rights as citizens of this sector of the population not only affects their dignity and quality of life, but also further promotes social and economic marginalization as well as prevents their inclusion to the process of creation of human capital that are indispensable for individual development.
On the other hand, we wish to express our appreciation to Member States for the adoption of the Inter-American Convention against All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance, and the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Intolerance. We urge all countries of the region to join to these conventions, thus demonstrating their commitment to human rights of all citizens, without exception.
We similarly express our satisfaction to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for the creation of a Rapporteurship for the Rights of the LGBTI Persons. We also reject any attack against the autonomy and independence of the Inter-American Commission.
We finally express our dismay at the intolerant speech and incitement to hatred by the fundamentalist sectors in Paraguay and other countries in the region, including some senior state officials, who openly continue to oppose the recognition of the rights of the LGBTTTI persons as included in the resolutions and conventions adopted by this organization. 
In consideration of the above, we demand of the Member States:
1.      Sign, ratify and execute the Inter-American Convention Against All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance, and the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Intolerance.
2.      Adopt legislation and public policies in line with the commitments taken in the resolutions on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, adoptedduring prior general assemblies.
3.      Adopt measures that ensure access to justice, and guarantee due process for all persons, aiming to eradicate impunity, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.
4.      Adopt comprehensive health strategies, with specific strategies for LGBTTTI populations, and particular emphasis on the unique needs of trans persons.
5.      Revise legislative frameworks, repealing laws that criminalize sexual relations between individuals of the same sex.
6.      Adopt laws that recognize the gender identity of trans people.
7.      Eliminate medical procedures where intersex children are subjected to genital mutilation, and develop protocols based on human rights and respect for their gender identity.
8.      Promote direct participation of LGBTTTI persons and civil society organizations in the dialogues, consultations, design, and preparation of national development plans.
9.      That the CARICOM states, within the next two years, develop policies that meet the needs of LGBTI citizens and improve the mechanisms in the planning of the domestic policies to include services for LGBTI youth.
10.  We urge Member States to provide financial resources, in the context of the Decade of Afro-Descendants, to implement actions that guarantee full development and restitution of rights and of LGBTI Afro-descendants of the Americas.
11.  Consider the proposal for an Inter-American Convention of Sexual Rights and Reproductive Rights.
That the General Assembly:
Approve the draft resolution “Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression” presented by the Brazil delegation and the co-sponsoring countries, whose initiative we appreciate.

 LGBTTTI Coalition  Members at Coalition Meeting prior to OAS General Assembly in Paraguay

Monday, July 21, 2014

Former Police Commissioner Winston Felix Facilitates Successful “Know Your Rights” Workshop with LGBT Guyanese and Supporters

On Wednesday, July 16, 2014, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) hosted a Human Rights Workshop titled “Know Your Rights: Citizens Rights vis-a-viz Police Powers”at Moray House in Georgetown.  The workshop was facilitated by Former Commissioner of Police, Winston Felix, M.P. The aim of the workshop was to educate LGBT Guyanese, sex workers, other marginalized groups who frequently interact with police and civil society practitioners who work with these vulnerable groups, on the rights afforded to them as Guyanese citizens vis-a-viz police powers as stipulated under the Police Act and the Guyana Constitution.
Former Police Commissioner, Mr. Winston Felix, M.P., holding up a copy of the Guyana Constitution during his presentation.
SASOD embarked on this workshop as a means of empowering these groups as they frequently come into contact with law enforcement officials and many of them are unaware of their rights and the powers of the police. Mr. Felix enlightened participants about the laws as it relates to being questioned, searched and arrested by the police. He informed them of the powers, responsibilities and limitations of the police and also about their rights and protections guaranteed to them under the Guyana constitution. He also went through the standard operating procedures that officers should follow if they are questioning, searching or arresting an individual. 
Former Police Commissioner Mr. Winston Felix and Participants of the Know Your Rights workshop.
The interactive workshop allowed participants to frankly share their experiences with the retired Commissioner in their previous interactions with police officers. Many of them noted instances where their rights were violated by officers who do not afford them equal treatment under the law because of their real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. Mr. Felix in his discussions with the participants noted that constant sensitivity training is required for police officers both in training and as refresher courses in order for them to become more familiar with the issues affecting LGBT Guyanese and other vulnerable groups, and how to interact with them on a daily basis.

Attending the workshop were 30 participants from a number of civil society organisations, including, Artistes In Direct Support (A.I.D.S.), Diverse Youth Movement (DIYOME), Guyana Trans United (GTU), Guyana Sex Work Coalition (GSWC), Guyana Youth Coalition, Hope For All Foundation from the Essequibo Coast, Family Awareness Consciousness Together (FACT) from Corriverton, United Bricklayers from New Amsterdam, and members and associates of SASOD.
 
Participants at the “Know Your Rights” workshop
The workshop was supported by the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice and conducted under SASOD’s Human Rights programme to promote social change by empowering LGBT Guyanese to understand their rights as citizens of Guyana and to sensitize the public on the LGBT issues.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

SASOD Reports Homophobic Government Minister to the United Nations

On Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at a press conference held in the Burbon Room at the Sidewall CafƩ, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) launched a damning 11-page report on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights in Guyana.
"photo"
(l-r) Mr. Joel Simpson, Managing Director, SASOD; Ms. Tiffany Barry, Social Change Consultant, SASOD and Ms. Schemel Patrick, Advocacy and Communications Officer, SASOD.
SASOD, submitting the report along with the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI), reported homophobic Government Minister Juan Edghill to the United Nations’ Human Rights Council for hate speech, as a violation of the Guyana Constitution and international human rights law, and called for his removal. SASOD also presented a 15-point list of recommendations to the Government of Guyana.

Ms. Tiffany Barry, Social Change Consultant, SASOD giving a brief synopsis of the UPR report
In giving a synopsis of the report, SASOD’s Social Change Consultant, Ms. Tiffany Barry outlined the 15 recommendations posited by SASOD. The recommendations include educating members of the uniformed forces and evaluating their performances based on their obligations in terms of non-discriminatory treatment towards marginalized groups; repeal sections 351 to 353 of the Criminal Law Offences Act Chapter 8:01 and 153 (1) (xlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act Chapter 8:02 which criminalise same-sex/gender intimacy between consenting adult men in private and cross-dressing, respectively; amend section 4 of the Prevention of Discrimination Act, Chapter 99:09, to include sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds for discrimination in employment, training and recruitment; among others.
The report titled “On Devil’s Island: A UPR Submission on LGBT Human Rights in Guyana” was submitted a month ago on June 15, the same day that Minister within the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill made hate-inciting comments on Hard Talk – a local radio programme on iRadio - describing homosexuality as “destructive, unwholesome and unhealthy” saying it should not be tolerated in the Guyanese society.

Mr. Joel Simpson, Managing Director of SASOD, answering questions from the media.
In his remarks, Managing Director of SASOD, Mr. Joel Simpson said that “Edghill’s inflammatory edict amounts to hate speech as described by Article 146 (3) of the Guyana constitution as “speeches or other expressions, in whatever form, capable of exciting hostility or ill-will against any person or class of persons.” He further went on to say, “We are therefore calling for his removal as a Government Minister and Member of Parliament as this is a blatant violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms under the Guyana constitution.”
Others government representatives who have made  comments on LGBT issues over the past month were PPP/C’s Member of Parliament Manzoor Nadir stating that the outcry to scrap anti–LGBT laws is a “storm in a teacup” issue; and Presidential Adviser on Governance, Gail Teixeira’s recent remarks that “there is no fast track… to see change and support new rights.” Simpson questioned “which rock Nadir is living under” citing monthly media reports of violence, discrimination and injustice against LGBT Guyanese and multiple reports from the University of the West Indies’ Faculty of Law, SASOD and other groups. Simpson also responded to Teixeira declaring “yes, there is a fast track way. It’s political leadership and our government sorely lacks this when it comes to human rights issues.” He reiterated the call for better protection of existing human rights for LGBT people, rebuffing Teixeira’s salvo that these are “new rights.”
The full report can be found here.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Mini-Consulation on LGBT Youth Issues



By Schemel Patrick

On Saturday, July 12, 2014 the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) held a mini-consultation with over a dozen youth participants to discuss issues affecting LGBT youth face; to determine what some of the possible responses, at the community level, to those issues could be and to discuss the Post 2015 Development Agenda and how it affects us as young people.

Some of the main issues raised were access to health care – being denied access to HIV testing, age- appropriate sexual and reproductive health information and services; discrimination at health facilities and educational institutions based on real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity – some lecturers at tertiary institutions were noted as being prejudiced to students; and the issue of homophobic bullying in schools, which often leads to LGBT youth discontinuing their education, came up for discussion.

Mentioned too in the conversation was the large group of LGBT youth who are absent from these discussions because of intergenerational and transactional relationships, which are somewhat very prevalent in our society. Instances were mentioned where young men were in relationships with much older men because those men financed their education. Conversely, some young women are engaged into relations with older women because they need their financial support to provide for their basic needs.

Workplace discrimination was also highlighted as one of the chief issues affecting LGBT youth, based on their real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. Discrimination occurred among employees, as well as employers. LGBT youth are either denied employment or made to feel very uncomfortable at their jobs.

LGBT youth experience problems from family as well. Often children run away from home and wind up involved in sex work because they need to procure basic necessities; families regularly disown children based on their real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity; children are often abused or experience severe violence as a result of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Parents themselves are faced with a lot of cultural and societal pressures which hinder the way they treat their children who might identity as LGBT themselves.

It is interesting to note what the consensus around the room was that issues affecting young women and girls are severely under- discussed, thus leading to isolation, depression and suicidal thoughts. The ‘LB’ women in the LGBT Guyanese community are often under-represented in discussions at the community level like these.

The other important goal of the consultation was to ascertain what responses can be designed to mitigate some of the issues LGBT youth face. One of the suggestions from the room was to provide assistance for LGBT youth in the form of a safe house – and, if possible, employment opportunities.

The consultation ended with a brief overview of the Post 2015 Development Agenda, its importance, and why youth engagement is critical to the process.