SASOD Celebrates 15th Anniversary and Human Rights Day

On Sunday, December 16, 2018, Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) celebrated its 15th anniversary with a cocktail reception at the Impeccable Banquet Hall in Georgetown. For over 15 years, SASOD Guyana has been a dedicated voice for the LGBTQ+ Guyanese and has promoted non-discrimination and equality in the country and the Caribbean region.

The Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry, M.P, Minister of Education, delivered special remarks on behalf of the Government of Guyana. Minister Henry spoke about SASOD’s notable achievements on local, regional, and international stages such as engaging local government, leading public education and sensitization on gender and sexual diversity, and providing essential services to Guyana’s most marginalized citizens. Minister Henry also commended SASOD for the recent victory at the Caribbean Court of Justice where the organization played a critical role in demolishing a colonial-era law that criminalized cross-dressing and disproportionately penalized transgender and gender non-conforming persons. She said that this landmark decision highlights the fact that outdated laws do not reflect the current realities and values of inclusion and cohesion in Guyana today. The Minister confirmed the Government’s commitment to ending all forms of discrimination and fulfilling the promise of equality and a good life for all Guyanese.

Education Minister Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry M.P. delivering special remarks.

Founder and Managing Director, Joel Simpson, spoke on behalf of SASOD Guyana. Simpson spoke fondly of the grassroots movement’s humble beginnings as a student-led lobby group, and proudly of the acclaimed, influential movement, it has become. SASOD Guyana has represented the LGBTQ+ people for the past 15 years and has used every opportunity possible to hold the state accountable for its human rights obligations. SASOD will continue to advocate for equality and inclusion of all persons in Guyana.

Managing Director of SASOD Guyana, Joel Simpson, giving opening remarks.

Also in attendance was Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Gail Teixeira, M.P., and Hon. Nigel Dharamlall, M.P., of the People’s Progressive Party / Civic (PPP/C). The two PPP/C parliamentarians joined the Education Minister and Simpson in cutting the SASOD 15th-anniversary cake. The evening concluded with holiday merriment and excitement for the anticipated progress in the upcoming New Year. The celebratory event was supported by the United Nations Development Programme and COC Netherlands.

SASOD Guyana's Joel Simpson (third from left) cuts the 15th anniversary cake as opposition PPP/C parliamentarians, Nigel Dharamlall M.P. (far left) and Gail Texeira M.P. (second from left) and Minister of Education Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry M.P. (far right) look on. 

SASOD Guyana's Joel Simpson (third form left0 feeds Opposition Cheif Whip Gail Texeira M.P. (second from left) a piece fo the 15th-anniversary cake as Nigel Dharamlall M.P. (far left) and Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Nicollete Henry M.P. (far right) look on.

Recruiting Data Collectors for Key Populations Viral Load Study

Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) is seeking data collectors to assist with in-country efforts on a project to estimate viral load suppression among key populations enrolled in HIV care and treatment in Region 4 of Guyana.

Core Qualifications and Experiences

·         Completed secondary school

·         Excellent communication skills

·         Ability to work in a non-judgemental and sensitive manner with stigmatized groups such as men who have sex with men, transgender persons and female sex workers living with HIV

·         Willing to travel moderate distances

·         Ability to work as part of a team

·         Familiarity with technology, smartphones and tablets

Additional Desirable Qualifications and Experiences

·         Prior experience in conducting surveys

·         Post-secondary education in social sciences or health-related field would be an asset

·         Previous work with marginalized communities

Duties

Successful applicants will be required to:

·         Attend a mandatory 3-day training session tentatively scheduled to start on January 11, 2019, in Georgetown. Transportation stipend and lunch will be provided

·         Conduct surveys as needed using predetermined guidelines and protocols

·         Complete scheduling and logging activities

·         Report to supervisors and other personnel in the research team as outlined in the guidelines, terms of reference and contract 

·         Adhere to strict ethical and confidentiality standards; will be required to sign confidentiality agreements

·         Participate in team correspondence, meetings and debriefings as needed

·         Interact in a professional manner with the research team, participants and stakeholders

·         Uphold respect for diversity and equality in interactions, maintain good interpersonal working relationships and conduct duties in accordance with appropriate health, safety and sustainability practices

Working Hours: Day-time hours and week days only for data collection.

Duration: Data collection is expected to last approximately 8 weeks

Remuneration: Data collectors will be paid per survey completed at rate of $2,000 per survey

Application Procedures

Please submit application letters and resumes especially noting any prior survey experience by email only to publichealth@sasod.org.gy no later than 23:59 hours on Monday, December 31, 2018. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. SASOD Guyana is an equal-opportunity group and encourages applications from marginalized persons, including sexual and gender minorities, sex workers and people living with HIV.