SASOD to host "Sing De Ting: Karaoke & Lyme" Next Wednesday

Next Wednesday, August 31, 2016, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) will be hosting its first “Sing De Ting: Karaoke & Lyme” at the Dutch Bottle Cafe, located at 10 North Road, between Light and Cummings Streets, Bourda, in Georgetown.

The fun starts at 6 PM and admission is absolutely FREE. Karaoke fans are encouraged to come out for an entertaining and exhilarating evening filled with singing, networking and merriment. All genres of music will be available for singers to make their selections. Drinks and snacks will be on sale. Come enjoy the evening’s signature cocktails and shots by popular Guyanese mixologists. 

This exciting fundraising event will benefit SASOD’s LGBT Emergency Shelter Fund which aims to provide support and services to homeless LGBT youth and other victims of bias violence.

SASOD Engages in Three Days of Activities for Youth Day

On the eve of International Youth Day, Thursday August 11, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) hosted a Youth Empowerment Session for 20 young people at their Charlotte Street office in Georgetown. The half-day session which was facilitated by renowned Guyanese motivational speaker and personal development coach Dr. Astell Collins focused on self- discovery, leadership, enhancing talents, abilities, and strengths to maximize potential and having emotional intelligence for good mental health. The session, which was well received by the participants, began three days of activities from the human-rights organisation to commemorate International Youth Day. Lunch and juice for the participants were donated by Bettencourt's Food Inc. and Global Fruit Mart, respectively.  

On the Day itself, Friday, August 12, SASOD participated in the Youth Fair organised by the Ministry of Education's Department of Youth which was held at the National Cultural Centre's tarmac.

Dinner and Discussion on Discrimination in the Workplace

On Wednesday, August 10, 2016, Ambassador of the United States of America to Guyana, H. E. Perry Holloway hosted a “Dinner and Discussion on Discrimination in the Workplace” at his residence. The milestone event was organized at the request of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) as part of the Guyana Workplace Equality Project, which is a partnership between SASOD and the US Embassy and funded by the US State Department’s Global Equality Fund. Present at the dinner meeting were key business leaders from major private sector organisations and SASOD’s Advocacy and Communications Officer, Schemel Patrick, and Managing Director, Joel Simpson. 

The gathering discussed practical ways that the private sector can partner with SASOD to tackle discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and health status in the workplace; particularly in policy development and implementation, workplace education programmes and legal reform. 

The other attendees were Vishnu Doerga, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI); Suzanne French, Executive Director of the Guyana Business Coalition on Health Awareness (GBCHA); Donna Roberts-Benjamin, GBCHA’s President; Ramesh Persaud, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) and Past President of the Private Sector Commission (PSC); Patricia Bacchus, CEO of Caribbean Container Inc. and Chairperson of the Board of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest); Gerald Gouveia, Director of the Roraima Group of Companies; and US Embassy officials Sandra Zuniga Guzman, Deputy Counselor, Political, Economic and Commercial Section D. James Bjorkman, Counselor of the Political, Economic and Commercial Section and Terry Steers-Gonzalez, Deputy Chief of Mission.

SASOD met with the Brazilian Ambassador

Representatives of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) met with the Brazilian Ambassador and his First Secretary on Wednesday, August 3, 2016, at the Brazilian Embassy in Georgetown. They discussed the state of human rights for LGBT people in Guyana, and how Brazil can support the Guyanese LGBT human rights movement. 

In photo from left: Joel Simpson, SASOD Managing Director; Miriam Leitao, First Secretary; H.E. Lineu Pupo De Paula, Ambassador of Brazil to Guyana; Jairo Rodrigues, SASOD Social Change Coordinator. (SASOD Photo)

SASOD and Linden Partners Launch Region 10 LGBT Sexual Health Training Project

– Linden M&TC pledges to work in support for an equitable society free from discrimination

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) in partnership with Linden Care Foundation (LCF) and For the Children Sake Foundation (FCSF) with support from Peace Corps Guyana launched the Region 10 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Sexual Health Training Project in Linden, the district’s town on Friday, July 22, at the LEAP Building, McKenzie.

Members of the general public and various representatives of civil society in the Upper Demerara -Upper Berbice region attended the simple launch event, which was chaired by SASOD’s Assistant Treasurer and LCF’s Health Advocate, Trevon Garner. The speakers were Joel Simpson, SASOD’s Managing Director; Yanick Copeland, LCF’s Prevention Coordinator for Key Populations; Vernon Todd, FCSF’s Executive Director; Keenan Williams, Chairperson of the Social Development Committee of the Linden Town Council; and Caitlin Sullivan, Region 10 Health Volunteer with Peace Corps Guyana.