Press Release: “SASOD at 10” Documentary Now on YouTube

Celebrating its diamond, 10th anniversary, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) hosted a series of activities at Moray House on Camp and Quamina Streets on Monday, June 24.  A 20-minute documentary titled “SASOD at 10” highlighting SASOD’s work on equality in Guyana over the past decade was launched. The film’s Producer, renowned local journalist, Gordon Moseley, in his remarks, shared insights on making the documentary, and reflected on SASOD’s growth since 2003, encouraging all Guyanese to support indigenous NGOs like SASOD who are working on issues related to human rights and equality in the country.

Ten diamond-shaped plaques were then presented as appreciation awards to organisations and individuals who have supported SASOD’s work on equality for lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality over the years. Guest speaker, Pandit Deodat Tillack, in his feature remarks, emphasized the need for human beings to live in harmony without prejudice to others, and emphatically thanked the awardees for their support to SASOD, re-affirming his own as well.

Pandit Deodat Tillack delivering his feature remarks.

The 10 appreciation awards were presented by SASOD representatives in these categories:

Media

1.      Print Media: Stabroek News

2.      Broadcast Media: HBTV Channel 9 First Look News

3.      Internet Media: Demerara Waves

4.      Journalist: Johann Earle

Civil Society

5.      Civil Society Group: Red Thread

6.      Civil Society Ally: Ms. Margaret Lawrence

Private Sector

7.      Private Sector Entity: Sidewalk Café & Jazz Club

8.      Private Sector Ally: Mr. Clinton Urling

Specific Sectors

9.      Human Rights Lawyer: Mr. Gino Persaud

10.  Faith Leader: Bishop Francis Alleyne, O.S.B.

SASOD’s 10^th anniversary cake was cut by Mr. Frédéric Roberts, Programme Manager for External Relations of the Regional Section at the Delegation of the European Union (EU), and Ms. Zenita Nicholson, Secretary of SASOD’s trusteeship board, whose birthday was that day. The EU is one of SASOD’s principal donors through a partnership with UK-based INGO, Equal Rights Trust, with funding from the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights.

 Mr. Frédéric Roberts and Ms. Zenita Nicholson cutting the 10^th anniversary cake.

Ms. Joan McDonald, Administrator of Moray House Trust, cut the ribbon to open the week-long “SASOD at 10” photo-exhibition. SASOD trustee Ms. Ulelli Verbeke - the photographer who captured the images and curated the photo-exhibition - was also at Moray House on Monday.

Ms. Joan Mc Donald cuts ribbon to open SASOD’s photo-exhibition at Moray House.

SASOD’s Advocacy and Communications Officer, Mr. Leon Bacchus, who chaired the day’s activities, commented that “this event showcases the evolution and some of the progress SASOD has made over the years through its work on LGBT human rights in Guyana and I am proud to share these achievements with the public. SASOD will continue to hold public events like these to reach out and further inform and sensitize members of the public about LGBT issues in Guyana.”

SASOD’s 10^th anniversary events were supported by British High Commission Georgetown and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as well as the DC-based Centre for Black Equity.

The “SASOD at 10” documentary can be viewed on SASOD’s YouTube channel at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THaDWjT_qeg&feature=youtu.be

Press Release from Nhojj

10 Years of LGBT Activism in Guyana - Nhojj Joins SASOD Celebration

Award winning singer/songwriter Nhojj returned home to celebrate SASOD's  decade of LGBT activism in Guyana.

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), a human rights organization in Guyana welcomed 3x OUTMusic Award winner Nhojj to headline its 10 year anniversary concert and celebration dubbed “SASOD at 10: Nhojj & Friends on Stage” on Friday, June 7, 2013, at the Sidewalk Café & Jazz Club in Georgetown.

Over the past decade, SASOD, a non-governmental organization that advocates for equal rights and justice for all, especially lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Guyanese has had lots to celebrate. Now in its 9th year, "Painting The Spectrum" is the only LGBT film festival in the English-speaking Caribbean; and for the last 4 years, SASOD has held its annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial on the steps of the St. George’s Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world. The organization has also been actively working through the legal system to repeal discriminatory laws, and is currently waiting a judgement on a suit filed against the state for unconstitutional violations of 4 trans individuals.

Chicago based Guyanese singer/songwriter Nhojj is no stranger to advocacy and promoting human rights.  His music video "Love" shows the budding romance between 2 males and he wrote the theme song for the documentary on depression in black gay men “You Are Not Alone” directed by NAACP Image Award-winning Stanley Bennett Clay.  Last month he finished recording his 5th studio album tentatively titled "I Was Made To Love Him" featuring Swiss Chris on drums (John Legend), Lonnie Plaxico on bass (Cassandra Wilson), Onaje Allan Gumbs (Woody Shaw), and co-produced by John F. Adams (Taylor Dayne).  He's shared stages with Nora Jones, Diana King and Regina Bell and received public congratulations from The Advocate and Centric TV's "Soul Sessions" for his work.

Nhojj arrived in Guyana on Thursday night and promotion for the celebration concert started on Friday morning with radio station interviews at NCN 98.1 Hot FM and HJ 94.1 Boom FM, and a press conference in the Bourbon Room at the Sidewalk Café to discuss SASOD’s month-long anniversary celebrations, Nhojj’s career in the USA, and his connection to Guyana and SASOD.  The last interview of the day was at “For a Better World" on Voice Of Guyana (VOG) 102.1 FM where Nhojj, probably the first out Guyanese singer, sang his OMA winning song over the airwaves - "Gay Warrior Song," a composition he dedicated to SASOD’s activism.

Left to Right: Nhojj, SASOD Co-Chairs, Namela Baynes-Rowe and Joel Simpson at presser.

That night, at the Sidewalk Café & Jazz Club, Nhojj serenaded the crowd with a collection of songs celebrating same-gender love, which included “He Heals Me,” “Bromance” and "Live Your Life."  A diverse array of local Guyanese artistes rounded out the bill: rock duo "Keep your Day Job"; vocalists Natasha Yhap, Keimo Benjamin, Maria Rosheuvel and Anthony Stayman; poet Lloyda Nicholas accompanied by Andrew Tyndall on steel pan; dancer Isaiah Luther; and jazz saxophonist Francis Bailey. 

Nhojj performing at Sidewalk Cafe & Jazz Club in Georgetown.

As the night drew to a close, the tables and chairs were cleared away to make room for a dancing.  "What I loved most was everyone dancing together at the end of the concert" Nhojj explains,  "gay, straight, trans, lesbians, and I'm sure there were some bisexuals there too - but it didn't matter, everyone was celebrating together and that's what we are working towards - a world where everyone is equal and can express who they truly are." 

On Sunday, June 9, Nhojj participated in a panel discussion at “Painting the Spectrum 9” following the screening of this year’s feature film – “You Are Not Alone,” produced by Guyanese award-winning journalist Antoine Craigwell.  The discussion was moderated by SASOD Co-Chair Joel Simpson with Craigwell using Skype to participate from his home in New York City. Nhojj spoke about his experience overcoming depression, and how he uses his music to inspire others to love themselves, in spite of society’s pressures. The other panelist was Bishop Francis Alleyne, Head of the Roman Catholic Church in Guyana, who explained the Church’s position on equality and their commitment to ensuring the repeal of Guyana's discriminatory laws. 

Nhojj and Bishop Francis Alleyne at Sidewalk Cafe.

The activities for SASOD’s 10th anniversary concert, celebrations and Nhojj’s visit to Guyana were supported by the Center for Black Equity, based in Washington DC, as well as the British High Commission in Georgetown and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. 

Follow Nhojj: 

http://nhojj.com 

http://twitter.com/nhojj 

http://youtube.com/nhojjmusic 

http://facebook.com/nhojjmusic

Follow SASOD:

http://www.sasod.org.gy

http://www.youtube.com/sasodguyana

https://www.facebook.com/sasodguyana

https://www.facebook.com/groups/sasod

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PRESS RELEASE - SASOD’s 10th Anniversary Celebration and Concert: Nhojj & Friends on Stage

SASOD’s 10^th Anniversary Celebration and Concert: Nhojj & Friends on Stage

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) hosted a press conference today, June 7, 2013 to promote its 10th anniversary celebration and concert called “SASOD at 10: Nhojj & Friends on Stage,” which will be held at the Side Walk Café, Middle Street, Georgetown, tonight at 8:00pm.

According to SASOD’s Co-Chair, Joel Simpson, tonight’s event will feature award-winning Guyanese artiste, Nhojj, who is also a member and long-time supporter of SASOD. This will also include performances from local Guyanese artistes including, Natasha Yhapp, Keimo Benjamin, Lloyda Nicholas, Isaiah Luther, Maria Rosheuvel, Anthony Stayman and Francis Bailey.

Following the concert, SASOD will be unveiling a series of events to continue its month long anniversary celebration. At their “Painting the Spectrum” 9^th annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Film Festival on June 9, 2013, the organisation will be screening this year’s feature film, which is a documentary called “You Are Not Alone,” which deals with the issue of depression in black gay men. This will be followed by a panel discussion with Guyanese producer, Antoine Craigwell, Nhojj who wrote and sang the documentary’s theme song, psychologist Dr. Faith Harding and others.

SASOD will also re-screen its 2011 documentary, “My Wardrobe, My Right,” whose producer is Neil Marks, this Sunday. This documentary addresses the implications of cross-dressing in Guyana, and according to Joel Simpson, the timing is opportune as it coincides with the current constitutional case involving Quincy McEwan, Seon Clarke, Joseph Fraser, Seyon Persaud and SASOD v. Attorney General in which four persons were arrested for violating section 153 (1) (xlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act. This law makes it a criminal offence for men to wear female attire and for women to wear male attire “in any public way or public place, for any improper purpose.” The Honourable Chief Justice, Ian Chang, during final proceedings on June 4, 2013 said that he will provide a date in which his decision will be announced in court.

On June 24, 2013, SASOD will also be hosting a Photo Exhibition and Appreciation Awards Ceremony at Moray House Trust, Camp and Quamina Streets in Georgetown. On the same day, they will be releasing their 2^nd edition newsletter, Spectrum Vibes, as well as launching a documentary called “SASOD at 10” which is produced by Gordon Moseley, and assistant producer, Alana Da Silva.

The press conference was hosted by SASOD Co-Chair, Namela Baynes-Rowe. Admission for tonight’s event is free, and the public is encouraged to attend “SASOD at 10: Nhojj & Friends on Stage” – which is bound to be a memorable experience.

Left to Right: Guyanese artiste, Nhojj, SASOD Co-Chairs, Namela Baynes-Rowe and Joel Simpson

Guyanese artiste, Nhojj

SASOD at 10: Nhojj & Friends on Stage

Join us for our 10^th anniversary concert and celebrations

Featuring international award-winning Guyanese artiste Nhojj, along with Keep Your Day Job band, Natasha Yhap, Keimo Benjamin, Lloyda Nicholas, Isaiah Luther and others

Date: Friday, 7^th June

Time: 8 pm sharp

Venue: Sidewalk Café & Jazz Club, 176 Middle St. Georgetown.

Admission: FREE