Sunday, May 31, 2015

Painting the Spectrum 11: SASOD's LGBT Film Festival 2015

Painting the Spectrum 11 : 
SASOD's LGBT Film Festival 2015 
Movie Schedule 

Tuesday, June 2
Out on the Tracks – Documentary
Origin: USA | Duration: 79 mins
Out on the Tracks portrays a gay Guyanese soul singer, Nhojj and documents his ground-breaking “Made to Love Him” sessions. Affirming the LGBTQ community through same-sex renditions of classic heterosexual love songs from Gershwin's "Someone to Watch Over Me" to Billy Joel's "She's Got a Way" ("He's Got a Way"), this gentle and human documentary touches upon the themes of love, hope and self-acceptance, and explores the recording process and the power of music.

SASOD hosts 6th AIDS Candlelight Memorial under the theme ‘Supporting the Future’

On Sunday May 24, 2015, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) supported the initiative of the the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GN+) and hosted the 6th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Guyana on the steps of the St. George’s Cathedral. 
Chelauna Providence, Organiser of the event and Social Change Coordinator, SASOD and John Quelch, chairperson of the event and Project Coordinator, SASOD addressing the audience. 
The theme for this year’s 32nd annual observance, ‘Supporting the Future,’ challenges people from various communities around the world to unite and demand a sustainable AIDS response - one that is fully inclusive. The event reinforced the need for access to treatment, care and support, as many persons living with HIV (PLHIV) are still facing discrimination and criminalization in various contexts. 
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is not just a memorial, but an opportunity for communities to mobilize and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. It is about fostering global solidarity, and breaking down the barriers of stigma and discrimination, and restoring hope for the future.
Delivering the feature address was Ms. Folami Harris, Chief of Party of the USAID Advancing Partners and Communities (APC) Project. In her address she challenged those present to apply a simple ABC model as they support the future. She spoke to Acceptance of those living with HIV, calling for a sense of Belongingness within our respective communities and groups, and being a part of the Collective response to HIV.