In observance of
International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, the Guyana Trans
United (GTU) and Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination
(SASOD Guyana) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure
hosted a Stakeholder Consultation on Violence and Discrimination in Access to
Public Transportation for LGBTQ+ Persons at the Ministry’s Fort Street Kingston
board room on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.
The aim of the consultation
was to share information, facilitate dialogue and formulate solutions with
regards to the standard of respect and treatment required for all persons utilizing
public transportation. The meeting discussed the effects of anti-LGBTQ
discrimination in accessing public transportation and regulations and solutions
aimed at preventing and punishing violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+
persons seeking to utilize public transportation services.
Participating in the
stakeholders consultation were representatives from the United Mini Bus Union,
Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ministry of Business, Guyana Police Force,
UNAIDS, USAID Advancing Partners and Communities Project, GTU and SASOD Guyana.
In brief opening remarks,
Managing Director of SASOD Guyana, Joel Simpson, noted that the goal of the
consultation was to find collective solutions to prevent the violence and
discrimination some LGBTQ+ persons, especially transgender persons, suffer when
using public transportation. SASOD Guyana’s Human Rights Coordinator, Valini
Leitch, pointed out the difficulties some LGBTQ+ persons encounter in accessing
public transportation. This, she said, subsequently affects persons’ ability to
access healthcare and basic needs and has been an ongoing problem, especially
for transgender persons who face the brunt of the abuses simply because of
their visibility.
Simpson emphasized that
every citizen should be able to access public transportation without fear of
violence or discrimination. The problem, he said, is not just limited to
mini-buses, but cuts across the local transportation sector, including taxis
and speed boats. He also noted the limitations that LGBTQ persons encounter in
accessing justice while also pointing out that the Caribbean Court of Justice
(CCJ) struck down Guyana’s law against crossdressing in November of last year.
The Traffic Chief, Senior
Superintendent Linden Isles explained that the law is clear on the obligation
to carry passengers. He recognized that cases of discrimination do occur and
pointed out the importance of reporting swiftly to the police and giving a clear
and detailed statement of the police when these infringements occur. SASOD
Guyana’s Managing Director, Joel Simpson, noted that in some cases the traffic
ranks do prejudicially take the side of the taxi driver or mini-bus operator.
Simpson emphasized the need for sensitizing traffic ranks and transport
operators.
Muriel Tinnis-Duke,
Director of Consumer Affairs at the Ministry of Business, noted that the
recently released Code of Conduct for Minibus Operators was prepared with the
prevention of all forms of discrimination in mind. Recognizing gender as a
prohibited category of discrimination in the Code of Conduct, Simpson noted
that “sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression” needs to be
expressly included in the list of grounds in the Code’s non-discrimination
provision. He expressed the need for broader consultations on future iterations
of the document.
Clive Williams, Planning
Officer at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Central Transport Planning
Unit, noted that his Ministry was in full agreement that persons should not
suffer any discrimination in accessing public transportation. He emphasized the
need to engage transportation bodies to have sensitization sessions. In
closing, Simpson acknowledged the role of education going forward and expressed
interest in further collaborations and bilateral meetings with the other
stakeholders at the meeting. He also noted the need for GTU and SASOD Guyana to
undertake community education so that LGBTQ+ persons can be informed of their role
in the process.
Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Linden Isles (right) speaking at the consultation.
GTU representative, Omatola Edwards (left) listens attentively at the consultation.
