From the Bermuda Sun

http://www.bermudasun.org/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=135&ArticleID=29821&TM=36495.7
Dear Sir,

It is with great disappointment that we at the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) Guyana learn of the failure of the Bermuda House of Assembly to debate the bill which would outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

It is important to understand that the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation is a basic human right to which all are entitled equally, whether heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual.

Irrefutably, non-heterosexuals have been stigmatized and discriminated against from time immemorial and therefore stand to benefit most from legal protection. This is lamented by no less a person than Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the foreword to the Amnesty International book, Sex, Love & Homophobia, in the following words: "Yet all over the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are persecuted. We treat them as pariahs and push them outside our communities. We make them doubt that they too are children of God — and this must be nearly the ultimate blasphemy. We blame them for what they are."

Archbishop Tutu has also linked homophobia to apartheid when he said that the persecution of people because of their sexual orientation is every bit as unjust as that crime against humanity, apartheid.

Archbishop Tutu puts it best in these words: "This is a matter of ordinary justice. We struggled against apartheid in South Africa, supported by people the world over, because black people were being blamed and made to suffer for something we can do nothing about — our very skins. It is the same with sexual orientation. It is a given. I could not have fought against the discrimination of apartheid and not also fight against the discrimination which homosexuals endure, even in our churches and faith groups. And I am proud that in South Africa, when we won the chance to build our new constitution, the human rights of all have been explicitly enshrined in our laws. My hope is that one day this will be the case all over the world, and that all will have equal rights."

Human rights protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is often dismissed by the homophobes as a Western concern but the fact is that South Africa was the first country in the world to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in its post-apartheid constitution. South Africa has certainly learned from its apartheid experience that ignorance, intolerance and hate must be opposed in all its forms. Do we here in Caribbean need such a virulent struggle to teach us a lesson? Or will we simply learn from the past mistakes of others around the world? Further to this being an essential matter of basic human rights, what is even more alarming is that this is also a matter of public health concern and the Minister of Health, Patrice Minors, and other government backbenchers are reported as being against the bill. Dr. Mirta Roses, Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has eloquently reinforced that hatred against homosexuals is not only a threat to human rights but a threat to life itself.

In her words: "... homophobia contributes to the spread of HIV. Fear of being stigmatized often prevents homosexual men from seeking HIV testing, counselling, and treatment, with the result that they are less likely to adopt measures to protect themselves and others from the virus."

According to Sir George Alleyne, U. N. Secretary General's Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS to the Caribbean, homophobia is the major stumbling block to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the region. Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, has also said that homophobia is one of the "best friends of HIV/AIDS" at the fifth Annual General Meeting of the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) held in Port-of-Spain in September of last year.

PAHO asserts that homophobia is of such grave concern in Latin America and the Caribbean that the governments of Brazil, Mexico and Colombia recently launched mass media campaigns against homophobia. In Argentina and Chile, this theme has been featured in poster campaigns and on television where the messages were well received. What is necessary to build a society of justice and tolerance? This bill gives Bermuda a valiant opportunity to put itself on the human-rights map with progressive legislation that guarantees equal rights for all.

We at SASOD stand in solidarity with Mrs Webb and the other supporters for non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in Bermuda. We call on the government of Bermuda to show sterling and unwiltering leadership and to oppose injustice in all its forms by re-introducing a bill which bans discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and to set an example to change the face of homophobia.

Joel Simpson

Chairperson

SASOD - Guyana

Report on Meeting of Sat 16 July, 2005

As with all the SASOD meetings, the agenda was free flowing and there was a great deal of discussion on various topics. These are summarised below :-

HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections
People felt that the messages about HIV were not getting through to accomodate the behavioural change. The education messages were targeted at heterosexual couples. The group felt that the following should be done :-
1) Use the pictures of the infected sexual organs to drive home the message to encourage responsible sexual behaviour.
2) Use the local talk show hosts and other personalities who influence public opinion to discuss condom use and to encourage safe sex
3) Lobby for the introduction of free Femidoms and Dental Dams which would help women to protect themselves rather than rely on a man using a condom.
4) Seriously test the ads and the campaigns, some of which still make no sense
5) Develop materials for men who have sex with men; and for heterosexual people who indulge in anal sex



Confronting Homophobia..
We talked about the refugee/asylum cases in the US, for the people who are gay and/or HIV positive. People said that even though there was homophobia in Guyana, it was different for different people and therefore any person would have to make their own case.
The discussion turned to issues related to 'coming out' to family and friends and to identifying 'what sexuality' one has. Two persons spoke of pressures in dealing with their mothers, who they felt were in denial.

Sexuality and child sexual abuseThe question was asked about the relationship between child sexual abuse and whether that makes someone gay. People felt that there was no correlation, though some persons felt that there was a direct linkage between child sexual abuse and determining a sexual identity. This part of the discussion was rough, as we had to come to grips with painful childhood experiences of some of the people. We were glad that people felt comfortable to talk about things which were on their mind..

Film FestivalPeople felt that the idea of showign some films was a good one, though we were all stumped as to how to get the films. There were some other ideas for films and people will try to get their contacts. We are working on a list of possible titles. Some people will check local video stores as well.

The next meeting date will be announced later.

Report on SASOD gaff on 16 April, and date for next gaff..

The discussion on 16 April continued along the lines of sexuality and self esteem. Discussion was on the problems of promiscuity and infidelity in Guyana and how HIV continues to spread despite education efforts.
Persons felt that in the search for intimacy, many people just said yes to sex in the hope that a relationship will follow, and this led to other problems of guilt and shame when the partners disappeared after.
There was a discussion on the pros and cons of monogamy (one person at a time) versus having an open relationship with many persons to love.
In addition to the spectre of HIV, it also emerged that persons would not feel safe. It was important for persons to gain enough self esteem to say no to risky sex .
Other points.. UG Berbice campus has a clear statement of non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
There is a group called Rainbow Crew which seeks to gain HIV prevention knowledge for the gay, lesbian and all sexual community. The group could be contacted through Artistes in Direct Support.
The next meeting will be on Saturday 14th May, 2005 at the same venue.

Report of 3 April SASOD discussion and next one..

Hi all
The SASOD discussion on 3 April was free form and around several themes. Homophobia in the workplace was discussed and people realised that there are some places in Guyana where the attitudes towards the gay/lesbian person very often depended on the work performance, and that homophobic attitudes are not displayed. There are some cases where gay/lesbian persons contribute positively and are respected for their contribution and hence the case for rights must take those into consideration.

Persons agreed to the generla principle that the age of consent should be 18 years for both male and female, and would support the GHRA proposal in principle. A letter for all of our signatures or names would be developed for submission before the 15 April.

The next SASOD discussion will take place on Sat 15 April, 2005 at 4pm at Help & Shelter's boardroom. The alternative venues were also discussed.
Peace
Vidya