Working to ensure the rights of Guyanese to their sexual orientation and gender identity in Guyana – SASOD 's experience

1. Guyana is an independent country located on the North Coast of South America. The population of 750,000 people lives mostly on the coastland of the country. The population is made of descendants of the indigenous Amerindians, slaves from Africa, indentured immigrants from India, China and Portugal, and other settlers. The country is a former British colony. The cultural influences are from these diverse backgrounds, and the religious influences are Christianity in various denominations, Islam, Hindu, Bahai and others.
2. The legal structures of Guyana are inherited from the British Legal system, Guyana is signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the other Rights Conventions established by the United Nations.
3. Section 351, 352 and 353 of the Criminal Law Offences Act (8:01) states that

351. "Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or is a party to the commission, by any male person, of any act of gross indecency with any other male person shall be guilty of a misdemeanour's and liable to imprisonment for two years.
352. Everyone who: (a) attempts to commit buggery:; or
(b) assaults any person with intent to commit buggery; or (c) being a male, indecently assaults any other male person, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for ten years.
353. Everyone who commits buggery, with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life".

4. These laws have not been used to incriminate consensual acts recently, but only used when there is a form of sexual assault, especially against minors.

“If any laws were broken, the police would charge ...”
“Commissioner of Police, press conference, 2004 responding to reporters' questions after a police officer and a civil servant were 'found' in a hotel room.

5. Homophobia in Guyana is grounded around these laws and the advocacy of some religious groups who cite religious teachings to oppose rights to sexual orientation and gender identity. This homophobia has also transferred into popular culture with the influence of some Jamaican based dancehall artistes.
The first attempt to address the legal basis of homophobia is in 2000 during the Constitutional Reform process. The Constitutional Reform committee used the South African model as the basis for a new inclusive society in which human rights are guaranteed for all persons.
3. In January 2001, the Parliament of Guyana voted for a constitutional amendment that would amongst other things, include 'sexual orientation' as one of the characteristics for non-discrimination. President Jagdeo refused to assent to the Amendment after pressure from members of the Evangelical Christian and Muslim clergy. The Parliament was dissolved for General Elections. The issue was raised again in May 2003, when the Constitutional Amendment bills were passed to establish the various rights commissions.
4. The public debate was led largely by the Christian and Muslim community which lobbied at all levels to remove that discrimination.
5. SASOD (Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination) is an informal network of people who are opposed to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. This group formed as a response to the prevailing homophobic conditions and to present the case in support of the rights of gay and lesbian people.
6. The Amendment Bill floundered in Parliament, with no vote being taken. This was because the Government introduced a bill which it had no intention of supporting, creating unprecedented history in the Parliament.
Health/HIV
7. In November of 2004, the Minister of Health acknowledged that the sodomy laws in the Caribbean would have to be repealed to effectively deal with HIV/AIDS . His views were opposed by members of the Evangelical Christian Community, who also protested against the idea that the Ministry of Health would offer condoms to male prisoners. The Cabinet Secretary subsequently indicated that the Government had no intention of changing their position on the Sexual Orientation;

Dr Ramsammy said existing laws that make prostitution and homosexuality offences are not being enforced and if they are enforced, commercial sex workers and gays will go underground because of fear of discrimination.
"We know them, and we have stopped criminalising them. We aren't going to take them to court. But our legal books say it’s wrong," he said.
"It's better that you take the thing (laws) off the books than to have them and be hypocritical about it and do nothing about it (HIV). For me it's not a moral issue, the fact is that these things stigmatise people."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2004/11/041116_ramsammy-hiv.shtml

Dr. Luncheon refutes speculations that Government’s position conflicts with that of the Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy..

“This may seem to be so, but there is no conflict…there might have been arguments made in the public, maybe even suggestions about courses of interventions from the health perspective; but when it comes to the Government’s positions on sexual orientation, I can assure you that the Government’s position is the Government’s position,” he said.
(http://www.gina.gov.gy/archive/daily/b041208.html)

8. SASOD has asserted the following :-
* The right to equal protection of the law without any discrimination (Article 7) is denied by omitting sexual orientation from our constitution and anti-discrimination laws.
* The right to privacy (Article 10) is denied by the existence of ‘sodomy laws’ under s. 352 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Cap. 8: 01 which seek to criminalize sexual activity between consenting male adults.
* The right to work (Article 23) is the most affected among the economic rights as many lesbians, gays and bisexuals in Guyana are being fired or discriminated against in employment policies and practices because of their perceived sexual orientation and are too scared to raise these issues in the public domain for fear of further victimisation
* The right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being including medical care and necessary social services (Article 25) is at conflict with discriminatory policies and practices, some physicians’ homophobia, the lack of adequate training for health care personnel regarding sexual orientation issues or the general assumption that patients are heterosexual.
* Some lesbian, gay and bisexual students in Guyana do not enjoy the right to education (Article 26) because of an unsafe climate created by peers and educators in schools.
9. SASOD has engaged in several public activities to promote awareness around the issues on gay and lesbian rights, while participating in different actions. SASOD has been successful in hosting several events such as a film festival, a leaflet distribution campaign, and some other forums. However, persons have been concerned about the publicity of these events since it is felt that people would be targeted for attending them.
Many gay and lesbian Guyanese hide their sexual orientation since the sodomy laws could be invoked. As a result, some people have accused for example SASOD members of making up stories since there is no evidence to back the stories. The environment of secrecy discourages full evidence led actions in some instances – for example in challenging employment related discrimination.
Combating homophobia in popular Culture.
10. In December, 2005, SASOD members wrote to the Ethnic Relations Commission, a public body mandated to,amongst other things ““encourage and create respect for religious, cultural and other forms of diversity in a plural society” (Article 212d(f), Constitution of Guyana) requesting sanctions against the musicians and their promoters who attacked gay and lesbian people in their lyrics. The Ethnic Relations Commission has so far not responded to this request and this is a serious indictment of the role of a State body.
Challenges
11. SASOD recognises that in Guyana and the English speaking Caribbean, the sodomy laws can be enforced selectively depending on the judicial system. SASOD recognises that other countries, including the United Kingdom have repealed the sodomy laws, and have also enforced stronger legislation to combat sexual assault perpetrated on male victims. The English Speaking Caribbean territories must also overcome the historical injustices which were imposed on people who are not heterosexual.
12. SASOD believes that the homophobic rhetoric emanating from fundamentalist religious bodies in North America and elsewhere will impact on the ability of local activists in the Caribbean to combat discriminatory practices.
13. SASOD notes that different Caribbean Governments, and Government officials have taken different stances on the rights of gay and lesbian peoples. SASOD believes that the Caribbean Governments which are signatory to International Conventions must rise above the pressure exerted in the name of religion to ensure that all citizens can be assured of their right to sexual orientation and gender identity.
September 2007
Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination – SASOD
www.geocities.com/sasod_guyana
email: sasod_guyana@yahoo.com

SASOD joins Citzens Elections Network to Monitor Elections

The twenty-two civic and religious organizations listed below have come together on the basis of a shared interest in seeing well-run national elections take place by the due date which the overwhelming majority of the population will perceive to be fair and free from fear. Key components in achieving this result are acceptable technical standards and a conducive and secure environment.


At a meeting held under the auspices of the Forum on Effectiveness & Solidarity (FES) at the Methodist Outreach Centre on Saturday March 18 2006, civic organizations agreed to involve our memberships in appropriate activities at local community levels related to elections.


Organisationally, a network rather than an organization, more accurately captures how we propose to function. In this respect the work will be driven by each organization according to interests and capacities with a Steering Committee rather than a Secretariat coordinating our efforts.



All independent civic and religious organisations and NGOs are invited to join the network. Until a website and e-mail address is established any such organisations should contact the network via ghra_guy@networksgy.com or at the telephone listed below.



Our activities will serve both to strengthen the electoral process and at the same time educate ourselves on the extent to which acceptable standards and a conducive environment are being set in place.



Both of these goals centre principally around provision and dissemination of reliable, impartial and comprehensive information in the preparatory and the polling day phases of election. Our intention is to disseminate reliable information gathered from members to provide civic organizations and the public in general with a sound basis for drawing their own conclusions and advising their members.



We do not seek to duplicate the work of others nor to work on behalf of other interests. In keeping with the above we propose monitoring two dimensions of electoral preparations: technical components which contribute to standards of ‘free and fair’ and a conducive environment free from fear.



The basis of technical monitoring will be the list of deliverables agreed upon in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Government of Guyana, GECOM and donors.

Monitoring the election environment is relatively new for Guyana. This would encompass such issues as the current security environment at community level; specific examples of security-induced restrictions on economic, social and religious activities, state of preparedness and security of designated polling places across the country; intensity of rumours which instill fear, etcetera. We will develop guidance for our memberships on this type of monitoring without exposing our members to risk.





Contact Information :Mike McCormack c/o Guyana Human Rights Centre, Tel: 226-1789



March 24 2006













List of Organisations Inaugurating the Network



Amerindian Peoples Association (APA)

Church Women United – Guyana

Church Women United – East Bank Demerara

Clerical & Commercial Workers Union (CCWU)

Community Based Rehab Programme – East Bank Demerara Unit

Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO)

Georgetown Ministers Fellowship (GMF)

Guyana Bar Association (GBA)

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Inc. (GCCI)

Guyana Citizens’ Initiative (GCI)

Guyana Council of Churches (GCC)

Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA)

Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC)

Guyana Workers Union (GWU)

National Association of Agricultural Commercial & Industrial Employees (NAACIE)

Rights of Children (ROC)

Red Thread

SASOD

UG Hindu Society

Vilvoorden Women’s Group

YMCA - Albouystown

Youth in Development – Linden

Report on participation in 26th world conference of International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)

Report to IGLHRC on results of participation in the 23rd ILGA Conference in Geneva, March 2006


Guyana and rights to sexual orientation and gender identity

Guyana's debate on the rights to sexual orientation started in 2001 after President Bharaj Jagdeo refused to assent to a vote by the Parliament which would have modified Article 149 of the Constitution of Guyana to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. In 2003, this debate resumed as the final amendments to the Constitution were passed through the parliament. The strong opposition from the Evangelical Christian and parts of the Muslim community contributed to the amendment being lost. Guyana also criminalises sex between males in the Criminal Law Offences Act, s351,352,353.

SASOD is a group which formed in 2003, and a relationship for information and knowledge sharing was established with IGLHRC Latin American secretariat. IGLHRC extended an invitation to attend the ILGA world conference and arranged for facilitation of meetings with various officers from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

This participant chose to attend those workshops which dealt with human rights mechanisms, even though all other workshops were equally informative and exciting.

Pre-conference on Religion and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
This workshop was valuable, since the opposition in Guyana is on the grounds of religious fundamental values. The track on Queer Islam was very informative. As a result of the contacts made here, SASOD intends to have messages from Imam Muhsin and Reverend Jide for activities around International Day Against Homophobia. We hope that we could increase the visibility of religious non-homophobic groups in Guyana and the Caribbean to balance the fundamental values which preach all kinds of intolerance.

Pre-conference on health issues, workplace discrimination

The information on lesbian and bisexual women's health will be made available to SASOD members and other interested people. The health of lesbian and bisexual movement is often subsumed under the health of MSM since the HIV funding available allows for discussions only on the health of MSM.
The discussion on same sex domestic violence is also valuable, since it will help to build the capacity of Guyanese organisations which work against domestic violence to intervene better.
The discussion on workplace affirmation was enlightening. The presentation from IBM was very informative, especially since options for employment is one of the main concerns of the LGBT population in Guyana and the Caribbean. These will be used as case studies to prevent workplace discrimination in Guyana.

Funding and International Co-operation
We are happy that in Guyana we have managed to keep our movement local, which was also to avoid the accusation of being 'western' or 'foreign influenced'. We have also been able to move at our own pace without pressure. The sessions on International Co-operation show how linkages, especially knowledge and information linkages, help to promote an issue, and also highlight failures within a country, without the need for urgent appeals or actions. The networking is also important so that internationally, local movements could motivate and support individuals and groups with even moral support, where there is none. Unfortunately, HIVOS does not work in Guyana, so we cannot benefit from their funding or programmes.

LGBT Rights at the UN and ECOSOC processes
This information is valuable, so as to understand the language to use to develop SASOD as an organisation. SASOD could apply for ECOSOC status, if only to highlight the presence of LGBT rights organisations. Other Caribbean Organisations are encouraged to do the same. The Cuban experience is interesting and hopefully more information would be made available. It is also good to know of the Inter American Human Rights system, and to keep in touch with how these mechanisms work for Guyana. There are some ideas to approach the Caribbean Court of Justice and the possibilities of linkages with people like Douglas Sanders could help this.

The workshop which was held with OMT also highlighted the opportunities for networking and information sharing, and the submission made to them through Marcelo Ferreya is in Annex 4 to this document.

Networking and knowledge connections
ILGA LAC members, though language barriers remain an issue, and the legal systems are different, but we still hope to continue some relationships
Inner Circle South Africa (Queer Islam) – to keep the discussion on progressive views on Islam to share with people in Guyana who are interested in Islam.

LaBRYS Kyrgistan - transsexual issues, for some information on how to do some training
Spartacus - to update the gay guide
CENESEX in Cuba which is working on the discussion on gay rights in Cuba
International Day against homophobia – to network on the IDAHOMO events and activities


Meetings attended

29 March
Assistant to Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders
This meeting was very important since new information on dealing with the protection of human rights defenders. It was interesting to note how the Human Rights Officers understood how the sodomy laws could also impact on the human rights defenders. A submission, which is in Annex 1, was made.

30 March
Assistant to Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression
A submission was made to this special rapporteur and the sharing of information from Guyana about concerns about the abuse of freedom of expression in the homophobic dancehall music; and the fear that at any time the sodomy laws could be invoked to stop teh defense of human rights. A copy of this submission is in Annex 2 to this report.

31 March
Assistant to Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women
The submissions to each one of these groups is in the Annex to this report. It was noted that the Caribbian misogny and homophobia are closely linked, and note was taken of the homophobic lyrics which called for the violence against lesbians, and the refusal/apathy of state parties to stop or ban these.

Conclusions
The discussions with colleagues in other parts of the world, who even though some of them operate independently, show that all efforts help to form the foundation of a global movement to remove discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. There is diversity within the international rights movement, but it is clear from this conference that SASOD’s work will be important.

Activities for IDAHO 2006

SASOD joined with organisations in a number of countries around the world to commemorate International Day against Homophobia 2006.

On Monday 15 May, Stabroek News printed the press release which was issued to all media houses. None of the other newspapers issued the press release of activities.

On Tuesday 16 May, we screened the film Bent at Sidewalk Cafe. There were about 30 persons there for the screening. We wanted to make the point of the original Nazi persecution of homosexuals, linked to Archbishop Desmond Tutu's comparison of homophobia and apartheid. Some persons liked the film, others thought that it was too deep.

On Wednesday 17 May, SASOD and GUYBOW members participated in a live radio programme 'Let's Talk' from 10pm to 11:30pm. An important presentation was made by Ronnel Trotman who was arrested and fined for cross dressing and vagrancy. GuyBow members also noted that they witnessed the harassment by police/soldier patrols of persons perceived to be male sex workers. There were some key points in that crime ridden Guyana, the police priorities seemed misplaced. There were a couple of call ins to the programme - some which supported our views, while others opposed the views, one caller saying homophobia is a lot of hype and that gender confused people could change if they want to once they get the demons out.


Saturday May 20 - Interactive forum/exhibition at the National Library, Georgetown, Guyana from 10am to 3pm.
This exhibition was set up with GuyBow and SASOD at the National Library. The first participant who arrived, said he had heard the radio programme. He lives about 40 miles from Georgetown, and had left his home at 6am so he could be on time. Another older participant who also heard the radio programme came a little later.
Some of the persons who viewed the exhibition were students who were using the library.
We also aired the recordings prepared by Reverend Jide Macaulay from the Metropolitan Community Church in UK, and Imam Muhsin Hendricks from the Inner Circle in South Africa. We also read a statement from a Hindu worker of Guyanese origins who wanted to remain anonymous since he was still in touch with Guyana, the extract of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's foreword to the Amnesty Report on Homophobia, and the Dalai Lama's message to ILGA.

During the rights gaff, SASOD and GuyBOW agreed to do the following :-
1) to meet with the Guyana Police Force to discuss the harassment of cross dressers, and acknowledging that the HIV workers felt under threat by the police actions

2) To write to the Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service protesting the continued portrayal of HIV as a gay disease.. even going so far as to listing women who have sex with women as a higher risk than women who have sex with men
3.) To follow up on the application to the Ethnic Relations Commission on the homophobic lyrics.
4) to prepare and distribute flyers to people who are targetted by the police which would explain their rights, the powers of arrest and the remedies for complaints on improper police conduct

SASOD will also add the 'cross dressing' offence to the list of homophobic laws which need removing from the law books.

The evening activity at Oasis was well attended and enjoyed by those who stayed for the entire performance. There were recitations of Alan Moore's Mirror of Love and other poems; songs, and tango dances done by two men in the traditional Argentine fashion.


Funding for all activities was done from contributions from members and individuals. Special thanks to Sidewalk Cafe and Oasis Cafe for supporting these activities.

Painting the Spectrum 2006 - SASOD's Lesbian and Gay Film Festival

SASOD's second film festival Painting the Spectrum 2006 - SASOD's Lesbian and Gay Film Festival was held during June 2006 from 7pm, at Sidewalk Cafe on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

This Festival would not have been possible without the support of :.
3H CD & Video Club; Oasis Café; Out In Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival; Women's Educational Media/Respect for all Project , Fundación Triángulo;
Michael Horvat, Roberto Maxwell, Jürgen Brünin, Deondray Gossett, Luther Mace, Peter Gaulton,Nisha Ganatra and Susan Carnivel; and George from New York who collected from films for us

Click here to download a report of the festival

The programme follows :-

Friday June 2 - Opening

Brokeback Mountain (US)
Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar are hired to corral sheep on the title location and they soon bond very closely. Their platonic relationship explodes into a physical one, but eventually the two are separated. Although the two follow different life paths they have a reunion years later. Each is affected profoundly by the rekindling of their old feelings for each other and this leads to their continuing their hidden relationship but at what cost. (134 mins) More details

Monday June 5

Flowers from the Heartland (US)
In February 2004 the City of San Francisco began issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. One person's idea to send flowers of support to gay and lesbian couples waiting in line to get married at San Francisco City Hall blossomed into an online movement that resulted in thousands of flowers being sent from all over the country (25 mins) More details

Tarik El Hob (Algeria/France)
Karim, a college student who is making a documentary about male homosexuality in Arab culture interviews Farid who makes a concerted effort to seduce Karim. Karim struggles with both his sexual identity and how his actions would affect his girlfriend Sihem (69 mins) More details


Wednesday June 7
Better than Chocolate (Canada)
Two attractive young lesbians, Maggie and Kim, meet in Vancouver, develop a passionate romance, and move in together. Maggie's well-meaning but naive mother Lila gets divorced and decides to move to Vancouver and join the household. Complications ensue as the conservative Lila learns the truth about Maggie, Judy, and their diverse group of friends.(101 minutes) More details

Friday June 9 South Africa Celebration!
Proteus (Canada/South Africa)
Based on a true story this tells of Rijkhaart Jacobsz and Claas Blank two men who were imprisoned and met on Robben Island. They fall in love on the island that would, many years later become the site of Nelson Mandela's life sentence. (100 mins) More details


Out In Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
Present
9 Short Films from the Just a Minute Films workshop (20 mins)
My life in 12 frames per minute
I have two
Perception
Confusion
Possessed by Demons
Muted Screams
Liberation
A page from my Journal
Betwixt and Between

and from the 4 More workshop


Breaking The Silence
Fanney Tsimong examines how homosexuality in rural Africa is explored through the story of a young Soweto-dweller. (15 mins)


Enraged By A Picture-
Photographer Zanele Muholi does an exposé on how race and gender operate in post-apartheid homophobia. (15 mins)

Outlaw Culture
Phybia Diamini reviews the portrayl of homosexuality in South African media (15 mins)

Barman
Stanimir Stoykov & Sasa Stojovic present a documentary about the power straight men have as bartenders in gay night clubs. (15 mins)

Monday June 12

Beautiful Thing (UK)
Jamie, a relatively unpopular lad who bunks off school to avoid football, lives next door to Ste, a more popular athletic lad but who is frequently beaten up by his father and older brother. Sandra (Jamie's mum) offers refugee to Ste leading to an outcome where the boys face a growing attraction for one another, from initial lingering glances to their irrefutable love(90 mins) More details


Wednesday June 14

Lost and Delirious (Canada)
A newcomer to a girl's boarding school is befriended by her two new roommates, and later discovers they are lovers. When one of the lovers decides she doesn't dare continue the relationship, the other becomes desperate in her attempts to win her back.More details(103 mins)

Friday June 16 Fatherhood and Motherhood

We are Dad (US) – donated by Director Michel Horvat

"I am happy to have my film participate"

Heartfelt documentary about two gay men in Florida who are foster parents to children with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses (68 mins) More details

Choosing Children (US) — On loan from Women's Educational Media

"The festival sounds great and I hope we can work together!
Thanks
Sue Chen"

An emotionally powerful film that challenges society’s definitions of family by exploring the ways lesbians are raising children in couples, alone, with gay men, and in extended families of friends. (46 mins) More details

Monday June 19

Lan Yu (China)
Lan Yu is based on the controversial, anonymously published Internet novel “Beijing Story,” which chronicles the turbulent gay relationship between a closeted middle-aged businessman and a young college student amid the violent uprising of Tiananmen Square. Filmed entirely underground on location in China, the much-honored Lan Yu was an Official Selection at the Cannes, Toronto and Sundance Film Festivals.e (89 mins) More details


Wednesday June 21 Brazil!

Capitulo Primeiro (Brazil)

"I am interested in send my movie to the festival."

Lucia , an Evangelical Christian, discovers a love letter amongst her son Pedro’s belongings. The love letter is from another guy. Lucia wants Pedro to change. (20 mins)

Saudade (Germany/Brazil)
Cyrus, Tim and Erik were high school buddies and meet again ten years later. They spend the summer together in Brazil. All of them are occupied in dealing with experiences from their past but new developments make them face their inner conflicts and their friendship with each other. (80min) More details

Friday June 23 - Facing off!

Fucking Different (Germany)
This is the brainchild of Kristin Petersen, who asked 15 queer filmmakers in Berlin to contribute a short film about their idea of gay or lesbian love and sexuality. The twist: gay men were given the task of making a short film about lesbian sexuality and eroticism, and lesbians were asked to explore the sexuality of gay men. (90 mins) More details

Saving Face (US)
Wilhelmina Pang, a lesbian Chinese-American surgeon, is shocked when her single mother shows up on her doorstep pregnant. To help her mom save face and avoid the taboo in the Chinese community of an unmarried woman pregnant, the doctor helps her mom find Mr. Right while at the same time dealing with her own relationship. (91 mins) More details

Monday June 26
Chutney popcorn(US/India)

"Thank you for your message and congratulations on your incredible accomplishment. We look foward to hearing about the festival and will pass on your email to other filmmakers.
Best Wishes,
Nisha Ganatra and Susan Carnival "

When Sarita discovers she can't have children, lesbian Reena finds that for the first time in their lives, she, Reena, can do something her perfect sister Sarita can't: get pregnant! (92 mins) More details

DL Chronicles (USA) Donated by Director Deondray Gossett

"We would love to participate in your festival. .. thanks for your interest in our work"

This film tells the stories of men of color who by consequence and by choice, live sexually duplicitous and secret lifestyles. (30 mins) More details


Wednesday June 28 Overcoming Prejudice

It’s Elementary (USA)
The first film of its kind to address anti-gay prejudice by providing adults with practical lessons on how to talk with kids about gay people (78 mins)

Ignorance Diversity and Love (Sweden)
A film team follows three persons a priest, an officer and a policewoman to take a look at prejudice based on sexual orientation in the workplace and in their everyday life. (58 mins)


Friday June 30 Grand Finale

Dinner Party (UK) : 12 lesbian short films brought together about lesbian living, dining, flirting, teasing and the rest! (23 minutes)
2 lesbian short films brought together about lesbian living, dining, flirting, teasing and the rest!

Breakfast with Gus: Lesbian life from a pussy's perspective
Traveling Companion: Who would you take to Italy with you
Peppermills: A film noir with plenty of black pepper
The Dinner Party: this is director Lisa Cholodenko's flirt with shorts
My Pretty Little Girlfriend: Edgy relationship tiff over a burger bite
Between 7 and 1: A monologue, until the bell rings
Girl Talk: Phone sex with a twist
Regarde Moi: Voyeurism in Paris' red-light district
Top of The World: Girl finds her butch biker top
Why I'll Never Trust You: Afternoons of pleasure
Hey Sister Hey Sailor: A sailor girl comes home
Double Entente: Fast cars and fast women

My Summer of Love (UK)
My Summer of Love charts the summer friendship and romance between two troubled young girls from the opposite side of the tracks in the isolated West Yorkshire countryside. Red-headed Mona is an uneducated 16-year-old feisty tomboy from a working-class family; chic Tamsin is a cynical, cultured, spoiled, teenager from a wealthy family. The only things they have in common are that both families are dysfunctional, they are bored, frustrated, neglected and searching for love.(86 mins) More details..

Brother to Brother (US)
Perry Williams is shunned by his father for his sexual identity. When Williams meets an aging poet who was involved in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1930s, he suddenly finds himself transported back in time and slowly he is able to gain perspective about his own life.(90 mins) More details



This festival follows the successes of the first Painting The Spectrum, which was held in October 2005.

SASOD Meeting - 18 March, 2006

1. UNAIDS Capacity Building support

SASOD and GUYBOW will have discussions with UNAIDS on a joint initiative around the issues of stigma, discrimination especially afforded to 'men who have sex with men' .

2. Rights
Please go to the OAS civil society forum on the new convention on racism and intolerance, and the forum is open for views from CIVIL society.

The Ethnic Relations Commission was asked again about the request on dealing with homophobic music. They have not responded.

SASOD will be a part of the IGLHRC delegation to advocate for changes in recognition of gay and lesbian rights. This will be done in Geneva, at the same time of the ILGA conference.

3. Registration
SASOD will be proceeding with registration through a trust deed. It was recognised that some formal arrangement would help in conducting activities and being accountable to the public.

4. Painting the Spectrum 2....
VOLUNTEERS are needed to work with SASOD on Painting the Spectrum 2 which will be held during June of this year to coincide with International Pride Activities. Venues, sponsors and suggestions for Films are being explored. Please let us know if you have any films to lend,donate to us.

Forum for Effectiveness and Solidarity
SASOD members are encouraged to participate in the Voter Education, monitoring activities which the Forum for Effectiveness and Solidarity are conducting. More details later.

Review - Love Poetry Nite, 11 Feb, 2006

SASOD and Oasis Cafe collaborated on a love poetry nite on Saturday 11 Feb, 2006. The event was well attended. There were diverse pieces read,
Love and yearning
Love sonnet XI – Pablo Neruda [Stacey]
Surpassing any love I’ve ever known – Linda Bray [Tamara]
My love, my wife, my mistress – Anon [Kojo]
The Great Lover – Rupert Brooke [John]
My eyes filled with your beauty – Krishna Prasad Konduru [Pinky]


Love and despair
From 20 poems of love – Pablo neruda [Rasheeda]
Happy valentine’s day – erin miller [Tamara]
O thou my lovely boy Sonnet 126 – William Shakespare [Keimo]
Thou blind fool love Sonnet 127 – William Shakespare [Stan]
Her voice – oscar wilde [Randy]
Song of despair – Pablo neruda [Rihan]



In praise of love
My lover stole my heart – Michelangelo [Mondale]
A red rose – Robert burns [Anton]
How do I love thee? – Elizabeth barett brown [Chevon]
She knows me more than anyone- staceyann chin [Alicia]
The Opposite of Love – Mr. Kaliedoscope [Keimo]
Touched by an angel – maya angelou [Kessy]
I Love Her So Much – Richard Pitman [Richard]

The poems can be downloaded from here

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In the open mic, various persons presented their own pieces. the following one which is anonymous and downloaded from Wayne's Guyana Outpost was well received.
How Do I Love Thee - West Indian Style
You are the essence in my mauby
De fish in my fishcakes
I love you love you dearly
You are the lard oil in my bakes
You are the coconut in my sweetbread
De pigtail in my rice
Just like piece of curry goat head
I will love you till I dead.

You are the sardine in my gravy
The dumplings in my soup
I love you more than mi belly
Yes I love you bad fah true.

Like banana leaf around my conkie
I'll be always close to you
Sweet like sugar in your bush tea
I'll do anything for you.

You are the sauce around my Cou Cou
Hot like sweetbread when it done
I will stick to you like dandruff
Like the corns upon your toes
Like the fat around your belly
I'll be everywhere you goes

Cause you are my black pudding
And I know I am your souse
When you call I will come running
Like when a boar cat see a mouse.

Oh my pepper on my pork chop
Sweet like sorrel when it mix
When my hands caress your body
You feel just like a couple-six.

You are sweeter than a snowcone
I will give you all I own
You are sweeter than a hambone
Soft and sweet like piece'o'pone.
No one can take me from you
Not in this life or death
My Panya girl I love you
It's just your mudda me caant tek

Where major religions here stand on homosexuality, condoms

Where major religions here stand on homosexuality, condoms
By Oluatoyin Alleyne
Monday, January 30th 2006 Stabroek News


Religious bodies disagree, sometimes vehemently, on matters pertaining to their faiths, but, not surprisingly, they are united on many of the so-called taboo issues including homosexuality and the use of condoms.

Religious leaders from the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Muslim, Hindu, Pentecostal and Seventh Day Adventist faiths all agree that homosexuality is wrong and that the use of condoms encourages fornication.

There have been raging debates on both these issues worldwide as health officials promote the use of condoms to help reduce the spread of HIV. But many religious leaders continue to say no to their use in their places of worship arguing that should they advocate their use it would be like telling their young people to fornicate.

Social scientists disagree. They say the fact is that young people continue to have sex before marriage and one should not bury one's head in the sand where this is concerned. But the six religious leaders told this reporter that they would not relent on this issue. They would tackle other aspects of HIV and AIDS such as stigma and discrimination that are directed against infected and affected persons, but they would not advocate the use of condoms.

Likewise, the church leaders are united on the issue of homosexuality, which they say is wrong in the sight of God, abnormal and perverted sexual behaviour, which would not be accepted in their churches. Therefore, a practising homosexual cannot be a priest, pastor, pandit or bishop in their local churches.

Yet, they say, they will not encourage any form of discrimination against anyone.

Where they disagree is on the orientation of sexuality; some believe that persons are born homosexual, while others feel homosexuality is by choice. The latter group says that because homosexuality is a choice aggressive work must be done to help persons to change and walk in the path of the Lord.

Homosexuality: genetic

or by choice?

Bishop of the Anglican Church in Guyana, Randolph George, says the church's teaching clearly states that it is a sin for a man to have sex with a man, or a woman to have sex with a woman.

Director of Education of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), Kerry Arthur, says in the religion of Islam homosexuality is regarded as sinful and unacceptable behaviour and a form of sexual perversion, which is directly condemned by God in the Holy Koran.

Bishop of the Winners Pentecostal Church, Juan Edghill, says the bible makes it very clear that homosexuality, bestiality and any form of unnatural sex are abominations. "There is no deviation about society's acceptance, it is a clear statement of truth," he said.

Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in Guyana, Francis Alleyne, said that while all men are equal in the sight of God based on the scripture, homosexuality is wrong and the church cannot accept persons who openly advocate gay rights.

Vice-President of the Guyana Central Arya Samaj and President of the Berbice Arya Samaj, Pandit Dhanesar, says that according to the Hindu holy book, the Vedas, any form of "abnormal sex" is not right and since homosexual sexual intercourse does not bring forth children it should not be permitted.

President of the Guyana Conference of Seventh Day Adventists (SDA), Pastor Phillip Bowman, says his church has a statement, which it has adopted as its position on homosexuality. The statement, among other things, says the church believes that sexual intimacy belongs only within the marital relationship of a man and woman as designed and established by God.

Bishop George says he believes some people are born with homosexual orientation. This same point is shared by Pandit Dhanesar who says there are several reasons why persons are homosexuals, one of which is they are genetically made up that way.

He says other reasons include home and social situations and peer pressure. "Are we in a position to judge them? I don't think it is right for us to pass judgement," he says.

But the CIOG education director feels homosexuality is a mental disorder. He qualifies this by saying: "Because God said it is wrong and it is also in the Muslim law, therefore it is a criminal action. And when people do criminal acts some of them do it because they are criminals; some do it because they are coerced and some people are criminals because of past psychological trauma and things of that nature; and so homosexuality can fall under [the last category]."

Asked if he does not believe people can be born with homosexual tendencies, Arthur, with little hesitation, says it is possible. However, that does not make it right. According to him, if that were so, then one can argue that a man may have been born a paedophile, as he was genetically predisposed to this since his grandfather and great-grandfather had been paedophiles too. "That does not alter the fact that by certain standards, society has the behaviour as being wrong..."

By Muslim standards, set some 1,400 years ago, homosexuality was wrong and remains wrong. He notes that there are persons, who are compulsive thieves or kleptomaniacs, but it does not alter the fact that what they are doing is wrong and they will face criminal charges.

"We don't necessarily dispute that persons are born like that [homosexual] but if they are born like that, that is their test. If a man is born without an arm it does not mean it is normal to have one arm... so that is how we look at it," Arthur said.

"However, while the behaviour [homosexuality] is not acceptable just as fornication it does not mean persons with such persuasions would not be accepted in the Muslim faith. Fornication and stealing are wrong, [but] you would find Muslims who would indulge in those acts," Arthur pointed out

Bishop Edghill does not believe that persons are born homosexual. He says there is no scientific proof that has been convincing enough to show, "me or any person of theological persuasion" that a person is born a homosexual.

"My personal opinion is that homosexuality is a choice... Persons who are struggling with their sexuality cannot be practising homosexuality. If a man or a woman is struggling with their sexuality that person can be helped and the church is filled with persons who practised homosexuality but have since changed," he says. Asked why the person would be struggling with their sexuality, he says there are several reasons: it could be the environment they live in or societal pressure. Further, he says, it could be perverted thinking as peddled in movies; or the person may have been abused and not properly healed. "But to say that a person was born this way and cannot be fixed is not a position that I would subscribe to.

"I have people who are now ordained pastors who practised homosexuality in the past. The church does not ordain practising homosexuals. The church ordains those persons who have come from a lifestyle of sin, which includes homosexuality, and who have been converted... and are now walking in the lifestyle of the scripture."

He acknowledges that there are cases where persons say they have changed, and may even be married with children but yet have a homosexual relationship on the side. But he says they are only doing it because of choice adding that he would never compromise the word of God to suit society.

No ostracising

According to Pandit Dhanesar, no openly gay person can be a pandit, but then, he adds, no person who openly commits adultery or fornication can be a pandit either.

"But we do not have the right to ostracise anyone. Who are we? We are merely human beings. Only God can do that," he says.

Bishop George also says he would not ordain an openly gay person, although he notes that there are gay Anglican bishops in other places such as the United States. This practice has led to a schism between the northern and southern branches of the Anglican church.

He says the church would not discriminate against anyone and this includes homosexuals. However, Bishop George says, if people are practising homosexuality in the open, then the church would have a problem. But he adds no one can say what goes on in people's homes and unless a person publicly states that he/she is a practising homosexual those who are perceived to be gay by others because of the way they may behave are not treated any differently and are welcomed into the house of the Lord.

Bishop George points out that it is also a sin to fornicate (sex before marriage), or commit adultery (be unfaithful to one's spouse).

Bishop Alleyne says he cannot look at people and assume they are committing a certain sin and as a result accuse them. He, like the others, says all persons are welcomed into the church as that is what the Lord teaches.

Referring to the recent document published by the Vatican on homosexuality, Bishop Alleyne says a qualification was made stating that a man with gay tendencies who remains celibate for at least three years may be ordained as a priest.

However, the document, released on November 29, 2005, has left many in the church confused and created great controversy, as some priests have said they are unsure how to interpret it.

The Vatican announced that it was toughening its stand against gay candidates for the priesthood, advising that men with "deep-seated" gay tendencies or who "support so-called gay culture" shouldn't be admitted to the seminary or ordained.

Others with "transitory" homosexual inclinations can be accepted if they have "clearly overcome" them for three years.

The eight-page policy pronouncement states: "The Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practise homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called 'gay culture.' "Arthur says that even if persons are acting in certain ways that might lead people to believe they are homosexuals it does not mean they are, as there is no proof, and they would be welcomed in the faith. But he points out that Muslims do not have the power to banish someone from the faith.

When a person commits a sin in a country like Guyana it is between them and God. In some Muslim states, he says, persons would be killed if they are caught committing certain sins, such as homosexuality and fornication among others.

"We cannot expel people from the faith but the problem arises if that person has a leadership role and is openly advocating gay rights, then that person would be seen as preaching something that is in direct contradiction to the teaching of the Koran." And even then the CIOG does not direct what happens at mosques. But, according to Arthur, should a leader do this, naturally there would be some ostracising of that person.

Bishop Edghill says his church treats every person with compassion but starts from the standpoint of the scripture.

He says the church's response should be in aggressive ministering to such persons without hate and the language of condemnation but with an understanding of what the scripture says: "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and that manifestation of sin comes in different forms."

Everyone should be treated fairly

Just because it goes against tradition and the teaching of religion and scripture does not necessarily make it wrong, says the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD).

Members, Joel Simpson and Stacy Gomes say they have no issue with religion teachings that say homosexuality is wrong, but the problem arises when because of such teachings it becomes a crime and is interpreted as immoral.

Simpson says it is alright if religious leaders want to address the issue within the confines of their religions, but they should not pronounce on what should be public morality. Gomes and Simpson say they do not want to get into a public debate with religious organizations. However, they strongly believe that homosexuals have rights like anyone else and should be treated fairly.

Gomes says what is done behind closed doors between two consenting adults should not be illegal on the basis of religion.

SASOD recently held a film festival at the Sidewalk Café and continues to show films monthly with the aim of educating people. Gomes says some people who attended the festivals had their perceptions changed.

The two say there are members of the organization, who, because of homophobia, are not comfortable speaking out on the issue. "Societal discrimination of anyone who is just tolerant to homosexuality is so virulent that persons are not 100% comfortable with speaking out publicly on the issue," Simpson says.

Gomes feels that if stigma was not attached to homosexuality persons would be more comfortable with whom they are and not have to keep that part of their lives in the closet. The closeted behaviour could advance the spread of HIV.

They scoff at the suggestion that homosexuality is by choice, asking why would one want to allow themselves to go through the discrimination it brings.They note that persons whom church leaders claim to have changed in most cases are continuing their homosexual life in the dark. In some cases because of the continued discrimination they become celibate, but that does not mean they have changed the way they think, nor does it change whom they are.

"It is not a choice. You don't choose that way, they [homosexuals] can argue that they enjoy the sex, but sex against so many other things where they are being discriminated against, no they would not choose that way of life," Gomes says.

"The fact remains that it [homosexuality] exists and you have to accept or deal with in a manner that is humane... I don't believe that one particular group of people has better rights than others... We fight about the right of [people] to have three square meals a day, their right is as important as that of an homosexual; equal rights for everyone."

HIV/AIDS and condoms

Turning to HIV/AIDS, all the religious leaders said they teach their followers that it is just a disease and infected or affected persons should not be discriminated against. However, while they advocate education and awareness they will not champion the use of condoms, which is a big part of the national and NGO response to the disease.

Bishop Edghill notes that the church is a place where people with HIV run for rescue. He boasts that as a pastor, he has spoken to more people infected with HIV/AIDS than any group that is doing HIV work.

"Our central message is that the answer to HIV/AIDS, is a holy lifestyle. HIV/AIDS would never be an issue if people live to the teaching of the church; your body is the temple of the Lord. Abstinence and fidelity is the central theme and it is the only working solution around the world..." Bishop Edghill says.

In the area of HIV, the Arya Samaj has embarked on a massive education and awareness programme aimed at sensitising its followers to the disease while also focusing on reducing stigma and discrimination.

"We say without exception that everyone should be treated with love and compassion. No one knows how the person was infected. We cannot pass judgement," Pandit Dhanesar said.

But he would not champion the use of condoms. He says condoms encourage fornication. He champions abstinence.

Bishop George says a number of Anglican youths have been trained as peer educators and are very knowledgeable in the area of HIV/AIDS and they would have discussions on the issue during their sessions.

The church does not agree with the notion that those whom HIV affects contracted it because of their sinful life or sinful behaviour, believing instead that HIV can be contracted by anyone regardless of their status, colour or creed and as such infected persons are not discriminated against.

Bishop George says the church would not advocate the use of condoms as a form of protection from HIV. Should married persons want to use condoms it would be their decision, but the Bishop says the Anglican Church would not advocate condom use to young people.

Sex before marriage is a sin, he says, and when it was pointed out that young people may still be sexually active and it is better to tell them to use condoms to protect themselves, Bishop George disagreed. He says he would not tell his children nor the youths in the church about condoms as if they are indeed sinning by having sex it may be viewed as the church condoning the act.

"I know people would say that they may still have sex and we must try to protect them because they are faced with the terrible disease called AIDS and it is a good argument, but we cannot move away from the church's teachings. The world is not black and white."

So the Anglicans will continue to teach abstinence and there are the other groups who would teach the use of condoms.

Arthur says the CIOG has formed partners with organisations and has been working in that area on its "terms." He says information about the disease and the fact that infected persons should not be discriminated against have been incorporated into the education programme.

He says this is in an attempt to change how people perceive the disease.

Arthur explains that why he made it clear the CIOG is working on its "terms" in the area is because it does not necessarily support all the health policies on the issue adding that HIV/AIDS was not treated the way diseases are normally handled from its inception.

Asked to elaborate, he says that when words like 'pandemic and 'epidemic' are used certain things should come to mind such as quarantine, as has been done with other diseases. He admits that quarantining for any disease is not "a very nice thing and I am not saying that that should have happened..."

But he did mention that Cuba used this method to tackle the disease and that it saw a dramatic reduction in the number of persons being infected. "These things [like quarantining] did not happen. The reason why is because in the eighties when the disease surfaced it had a certain dimension as being 'the gay man's disease' and it became a political football."

He feels the social and political aspects of the disease overcame the medical aspect, and more should have been done to directly tackle the issue.

The CIOG advocates abstinence and while Islam does not see anything wrong with using a condom it should be primarily for birth control.

"The problem comes when we are telling people if they are going to fornicate do it with a condom. We wouldn't say that. What we would tell you is if you are going to fornicate or commit adultery you would be putting yourself in harm's way. Even if AIDS was not there you are making yourself available for the fire of hell."

He says that should Muslims advocate condoms they would be condoning fornication and according to Muslim law, sex is only right when it is between a married couple.

Bishop Alleyne says the Roman Catholic Church does not discriminate against those who are HIV positive and has been educating its masses about disease and that persons who are infected are no different from those who are not. He points to St Joseph Mercy Hospital, which is Catholic, and has been at the forefront in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, among other programmes.

And while the other churches would allow condoms to be used by married persons, the Roman Catholic Church would not. Bishop Alleyne feels that advocating the use of condoms is giving persons the licence to commit fornication or adultery. And because the church does not support the use of contraceptives, Bishop Alleyne says, the church cannot support the use of condoms in messages. Admitting that the church cannot see what goes on in the bedrooms of couples, Bishop Alleyne says nevertheless it will never advise the use of condoms at any time.

Asked what happens to persons who are not financially positioned to take care of large families, Bishop Alleyne says there are other ways in which the church can help.

Pastor Bowman who says the SDA church would not discriminate against persons living with HIV/AIDS echoed some of the same views. As a matter of fact the individual churches throughout the country have educational programmes during which they educate the congregation on the disease.

The SDA church will also not support the use of condoms as it is seen as giving unmarried persons the right to have sex and married ones the right to commit adultery.

End torture now!: Speak out against the suffering inflicted on the LGBT community in Guyana

This event was held on 10 December, 2005.
Download report here

Notes from the January 2001 debate

In January of 2001, Guyana's Parliament voted to include sexual orientation as one of the non-discriminatory clauses in the Constitution of Guyana. These series of notes were kept at Queer Law website

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--------------------------

Stabroek News, January 26, 2001
46/47 Robb Street Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana
(Fax: 592-2-54637) (E-Mail: stabroeknews@stabroeknews.com )
( http://www.stabroeknews.com )
Sexual orientation bill going back to Parliament
By Patrick Denny
The bill banning discrimination against persons
based on their sexual orientation is to be sent back to
Parliament for review following the maelstrom over whether
it would in effect legalise homosexual relations.
Unanimously passed by the National Assembly earlier
this month, it has not yet been assented to by the President
and is therefore not law.
Representatives of religious groups and three parliamentary
parties who met at the Office of the President yesterday agreed
that the Constitution (Amendment) (No.5) Bill should be sent
back to the National Assembly for its reconsideration.
The move to return the bill is almost without precedent and,
according to a knowledgeable source, there is no precedent for
dealing with a bill which is returned by the President and is
subsequently amended.
In returning the bill to the Speaker of the National
Assembly, according to the Constitution, President Jagdeo
would have to indicate his reasons for so doing. If it is not
amended and is returned unaltered after a two-thirds vote by the
Assembly, President Jagdeo is required to assent to it within 21
days unless he dissolves the Assembly earlier.
The legislation, among other things enshrines as a
fundamental right a person's right not to be discriminated against
on the basis of his/her sexual orientation. It was approved by the
National Assembly by a 55-0 vote on January 4, and was based
on recommendations from the Constitution Reform Commission
(CRC). The Christian, Hindu and Islamic communities were
represented on the CRC. Their representatives were Rev Keith
Haley and attorneys-at-law Vidyanand Persaud and Shahabudeen
McDoom respectively.
Sections of the religious community have over the past two
weeks been waging a rearguard battle to have the sexual
orientation ground removed from the fundamental rights section of
the amended Constitution. It fears that the bill would have
far-reaching effects including the legalisation of
"same-sex marriages" and the admission of homosexuals in the
army.
Answering questions from reporters after the meeting,
Guyana Council of Churches (GCC) chairman, Bishop Juan
Edgehill said that while the GCC was supportive of the
amendment prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation, it did not want the ban to be enshrined in the
Constitution as a fundamental right.
The meeting was called by President Jagdeo to have the
issue discussed so as to agree on a way forward in addressing
the concerns of the churches.
The representatives of the church had previously met
President Jagdeo and he had assured them that he would not
assent to the bill so that they could have an opportunity to lobby
the parliamentary parties.
President Jagdeo told reporters after the meeting that
recommitting the bill would give the parties an opportunity to
revisit it to see if the concerns expressed could be addressed.
He said too that he was anxious to get the other sections
of the legislation enacted such as the provisions dealing with
gender equity and the right to education and to work.
President Jagdeo said that he had advised the representatives
of the religious community to lobby the PNC for its support for the
process that the meeting decided should be adopted.
Bishop Edgehill, one of the leading opponents of the bill, said
that he had welcomed the opportunity to discuss the issue with the
representatives of the parliamentary parties -- the PPP/Civic, The
United Force (TUF) and the Alliance for Guyana (AFG). He said
that the discussion on the issue had been cordial, useful and
spirited and that the GCC representatives would be contacting the
PNC Reform to get its support for the procedure for reconsidering
the bill.
He disagreed with the suggestion that the church leaders
had the opportunity to study the bill before it was approved by the
NationalAssembly. It was sanctioned by the Joint Management
Committee on which the PPP/Civic and the PNC are represented.
Fazeel Ferouz a representative of the Moslem community
said that he had been thankful for the opportunity to discuss the
way forward. He said that the amendment in question was
disturbing to his community and the society at large and that his
organisation would be working with the parties to get the
amendment changed to its satisfaction.
Chandra Gajraj, who represented the Hindu community at
the meeting said that she was not convinced that the amendment,
which she supported, would legalise homosexuality.
Responding to questions about the position of the Catholic
Churchwhich supported the amendment, Bishop Edgehill said
that the pastoral letter to the Catholic faithful said that the bill had
offered an opportunity for the church to exercise compassion.
However, he asserted that the position being advocated by the
GCC was not a campaign of hate against homosexuals, whom he
said the church welcomes with open arms.
Recommittal of the bill, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine who
represented the AFG at the meeting said, would allow for
generating the widest possible support for the fundamental rights
section of the Constitution.
Aubrey Collins, who represented TUF and was also a
member of the CRC, said that the party was thankful to the
religious community for highlighting the possible far-reaching
effects of the amendment.

Stabroek News, January 26, 2001
46/47 Robb Street Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana
(Fax: 592-2-54637) (E-Mail: stabroeknews@stabroeknews.com )
( http://www.stabroeknews.com )
Letter: Christians cannot support discrimination based on sexual
orientation
I read an advertisement in your Sunday issue on the recent
amendment to the constitution to prevent discrimination on the basis
of sexual orientation and feel that while the content has some merit
from a Christian perspective, it does not address the intent of the Act.
The issue addressed by the Act is that of discrimination and it
has attempted to be legally specific, thus including discrimination
based on one's sexual orientation. Surely a Christian cannot support
discrimination against a person because of his/her sexual orientation.
Further, such a position against discrimination does not imply
any support for homosexuality.
In fact, the churches should be glad that such legislation has
been introduced especially when we consider that many offenders
in this area of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation claim
to be Christians, who believe that we are all made in the image and
likeness of God. Surely God did not make any exceptions in his
creation of the human species, which would allow us scope for
discrimination!
We must remember that apartheid was founded on precisely
this sort of discrimination, except that the base was colour of skin
rather than sexual orientation.
Finally, we Christians must cultivate the virtue of tolerance
since it will allow us opportunities to sincerely reach out to all our
brothers and sisters even those who may hold radically different
moral positions from our own.
- Yours faithfully, Fr Malcolm Rodrigues SJ

Letter: There was no response earlier on the constitutional
amendment on homosexuality
I refer to my letter captioned "Is homosexuality a crime"
(5.ll.2000) bringing attention to the fact that New International
Magazine had published an article stating that homosexuality in
Guyana was punishable by either death or life in prison. While
acknowledging that there was a maximum penalty for buggery of
life imprisonment, not death, you indicated in the editor's note that
proposed reforms to the Constitution currently underway would
radically change the existing laws. Your note to the best of my
recollection, provoked no response. However, that was a deceptive
calm and the storm has broken.
As the lobbying by religious church leaders and religious
political leaders gets underway, I'd like to lobby the 55-0 members
of the National Assembly (especially the Parliamentary Affairs
Minister, Reepu Daman Persaud) who approved this progressive
piece of legislation on behalf of people who'd like to live their lives
without fear of ignorance.
I remind the members to bear in mind while being lobbied that
religious leaders of one orientation or another, at one time or another,
also strenuously battled against the abolition of slavery and
apartheid, employment equity for Dalits and the abolition of laws that
valued the legal testimony of women at half of that of a man's.
Furthermore, what is very curious in this debate is the absence of
any mention of female homosexuality. Could this be because
heterosexually dominated society has other ways of dealing with
'out of control' female sexuality, for example, by the cutlass? As if
under some sort of threat, the focus of the homophobes is on having
a law that protects against 'buggery', 'anal intercourse' and
'homosexual acts between men'. Protect whom? And why the
double-speak?
This debate is not about homosexuality at all; it is about
maintaining the damnable fantasies of powerful heterosexual men
in Guyana at the expense of the powerless.
- Yours faithfully, Anil Persaud, British Columbia

Editor's note:
We repeat the editor's note [referred to] in the previous letter.
"Sections 35l, 352 and 353 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act
provide as follows:
35l. "Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or is a
party to the commission, by any male person, of any act of gross
indecency with any other male person shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and liable to imprisonment for two years.
352. Everyone who: (a) attempts to commit buggery:; or (b) assaults
any person with intent to commit buggery; or (c) being a male,
indecently assaults any other male person, shall be guilty of felony
and liable to imprisonment for ten years.
353. Everyone who commits buggery, with a human being or with any
other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment
for life".
Thus buggery of a male or female of "any other living creature"
attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Actual sentences
have been much lower.
We are not aware of any prosecutions for private homosexual activity.
The new constitution will make discrimination on the basis of
sexual preference unlawful. This could lead to some changes in the
law".

Letter: Representatives of religions on Constitution Reform
Commission did not object to amendment on sexual orientation
(January 25, 2001)
I have noted with interest the storm that is brewing over the
anti-discrimination provision in the reform constitution in relation to
sexual orientation.
Is it not the case that the commissioners represented by the
three major religions in Guyana all gave their assent to the
recommendation when it was tabled at the Constitution Reform
Commission?
If my memory serves me correctly, there was one dissenting
voice, and it was not the voice of Rev Keith Halley, representative
from the Christian religion, nor Mr Vidyanand Persaud, representative
from the Hindu religion, nor Mr Shahabuddin McDoom, representative
from the Muslim religion.
- Yours faithfully, Cavelle A Lynch, Attorney-at-Law, Former Supervisor,
Research and Analysis, Constitution Reform Commission

Letter: Organised religion has historically oppressed many groups
I was having my breakfast this morning -- bakes, salted fish and
freshly brewed coffee -- as I read the Toronto Star newspaper, a daily
pastime of mine. However, this morning my attention was immediately
arrested upon turning to the World page where in a small column
headlined "Guyana" I read that "Christian leaders have called for three
days of fasting and prayer to press President Jagdeo not to sign a gay
rights amendment to the constitution".
As a labour, community, human rights activist, I would suggest,
very respectfully, that these so-called Christian leaders, instead of
fasting and praying to deny fundamental rights -- indeed inalienable
rights -- to gays ought to be fasting, praying and providing for the many
poor, dispossessed, homeless and hopeless people and children I
observed roaming the streets of Guyana on my recent visit.
We must never forget that organized religion -- without
exception -- has historically used the bible and other religious books
to oppress groups of people. However, the level of hypocrisy on this
issue is truly obscene for so many "Christian" leaders while publicly
voicing moral outrage privately engage in the very behaviour they
condemn.
The fifty-five members who voted for the bill should be
commended and I hope that the President moves forward to amend
the constitution to protect the rights of all Guyanese.
- Yours faithfully, June Veecock

Notes from the January 2001 debate

In January of 2001, Guyana's Parliament voted to include sexual orientation as one of the non-discriminatory clauses in the Constitution of Guyana. These series of notes were kept at Queer Law website

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------

Stabroek News, January 26, 2001
46/47 Robb Street Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana
(Fax: 592-2-54637) (E-Mail: stabroeknews@stabroeknews.com )
( http://www.stabroeknews.com )
Sexual orientation bill going back to Parliament
By Patrick Denny
The bill banning discrimination against persons
based on their sexual orientation is to be sent back to
Parliament for review following the maelstrom over whether
it would in effect legalise homosexual relations.
Unanimously passed by the National Assembly earlier
this month, it has not yet been assented to by the President
and is therefore not law.
Representatives of religious groups and three parliamentary
parties who met at the Office of the President yesterday agreed
that the Constitution (Amendment) (No.5) Bill should be sent
back to the National Assembly for its reconsideration.
The move to return the bill is almost without precedent and,
according to a knowledgeable source, there is no precedent for
dealing with a bill which is returned by the President and is
subsequently amended.
In returning the bill to the Speaker of the National
Assembly, according to the Constitution, President Jagdeo
would have to indicate his reasons for so doing. If it is not
amended and is returned unaltered after a two-thirds vote by the
Assembly, President Jagdeo is required to assent to it within 21
days unless he dissolves the Assembly earlier.
The legislation, among other things enshrines as a
fundamental right a person's right not to be discriminated against
on the basis of his/her sexual orientation. It was approved by the
National Assembly by a 55-0 vote on January 4, and was based
on recommendations from the Constitution Reform Commission
(CRC). The Christian, Hindu and Islamic communities were
represented on the CRC. Their representatives were Rev Keith
Haley and attorneys-at-law Vidyanand Persaud and Shahabudeen
McDoom respectively.
Sections of the religious community have over the past two
weeks been waging a rearguard battle to have the sexual
orientation ground removed from the fundamental rights section of
the amended Constitution. It fears that the bill would have
far-reaching effects including the legalisation of
"same-sex marriages" and the admission of homosexuals in the
army.
Answering questions from reporters after the meeting,
Guyana Council of Churches (GCC) chairman, Bishop Juan
Edgehill said that while the GCC was supportive of the
amendment prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation, it did not want the ban to be enshrined in the
Constitution as a fundamental right.
The meeting was called by President Jagdeo to have the
issue discussed so as to agree on a way forward in addressing
the concerns of the churches.
The representatives of the church had previously met
President Jagdeo and he had assured them that he would not
assent to the bill so that they could have an opportunity to lobby
the parliamentary parties.
President Jagdeo told reporters after the meeting that
recommitting the bill would give the parties an opportunity to
revisit it to see if the concerns expressed could be addressed.
He said too that he was anxious to get the other sections
of the legislation enacted such as the provisions dealing with
gender equity and the right to education and to work.
President Jagdeo said that he had advised the representatives
of the religious community to lobby the PNC for its support for the
process that the meeting decided should be adopted.
Bishop Edgehill, one of the leading opponents of the bill, said
that he had welcomed the opportunity to discuss the issue with the
representatives of the parliamentary parties -- the PPP/Civic, The
United Force (TUF) and the Alliance for Guyana (AFG). He said
that the discussion on the issue had been cordial, useful and
spirited and that the GCC representatives would be contacting the
PNC Reform to get its support for the procedure for reconsidering
the bill.
He disagreed with the suggestion that the church leaders
had the opportunity to study the bill before it was approved by the
NationalAssembly. It was sanctioned by the Joint Management
Committee on which the PPP/Civic and the PNC are represented.
Fazeel Ferouz a representative of the Moslem community
said that he had been thankful for the opportunity to discuss the
way forward. He said that the amendment in question was
disturbing to his community and the society at large and that his
organisation would be working with the parties to get the
amendment changed to its satisfaction.
Chandra Gajraj, who represented the Hindu community at
the meeting said that she was not convinced that the amendment,
which she supported, would legalise homosexuality.
Responding to questions about the position of the Catholic
Churchwhich supported the amendment, Bishop Edgehill said
that the pastoral letter to the Catholic faithful said that the bill had
offered an opportunity for the church to exercise compassion.
However, he asserted that the position being advocated by the
GCC was not a campaign of hate against homosexuals, whom he
said the church welcomes with open arms.
Recommittal of the bill, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine who
represented the AFG at the meeting said, would allow for
generating the widest possible support for the fundamental rights
section of the Constitution.
Aubrey Collins, who represented TUF and was also a
member of the CRC, said that the party was thankful to the
religious community for highlighting the possible far-reaching
effects of the amendment.

Stabroek News, January 26, 2001
46/47 Robb Street Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana
(Fax: 592-2-54637) (E-Mail: stabroeknews@stabroeknews.com )
( http://www.stabroeknews.com )
Letter: Christians cannot support discrimination based on sexual
orientation
I read an advertisement in your Sunday issue on the recent
amendment to the constitution to prevent discrimination on the basis
of sexual orientation and feel that while the content has some merit
from a Christian perspective, it does not address the intent of the Act.
The issue addressed by the Act is that of discrimination and it
has attempted to be legally specific, thus including discrimination
based on one's sexual orientation. Surely a Christian cannot support
discrimination against a person because of his/her sexual orientation.
Further, such a position against discrimination does not imply
any support for homosexuality.
In fact, the churches should be glad that such legislation has
been introduced especially when we consider that many offenders
in this area of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation claim
to be Christians, who believe that we are all made in the image and
likeness of God. Surely God did not make any exceptions in his
creation of the human species, which would allow us scope for
discrimination!
We must remember that apartheid was founded on precisely
this sort of discrimination, except that the base was colour of skin
rather than sexual orientation.
Finally, we Christians must cultivate the virtue of tolerance
since it will allow us opportunities to sincerely reach out to all our
brothers and sisters even those who may hold radically different
moral positions from our own.
- Yours faithfully, Fr Malcolm Rodrigues SJ

Letter: There was no response earlier on the constitutional
amendment on homosexuality
I refer to my letter captioned "Is homosexuality a crime"
(5.ll.2000) bringing attention to the fact that New International
Magazine had published an article stating that homosexuality in
Guyana was punishable by either death or life in prison. While
acknowledging that there was a maximum penalty for buggery of
life imprisonment, not death, you indicated in the editor's note that
proposed reforms to the Constitution currently underway would
radically change the existing laws. Your note to the best of my
recollection, provoked no response. However, that was a deceptive
calm and the storm has broken.
As the lobbying by religious church leaders and religious
political leaders gets underway, I'd like to lobby the 55-0 members
of the National Assembly (especially the Parliamentary Affairs
Minister, Reepu Daman Persaud) who approved this progressive
piece of legislation on behalf of people who'd like to live their lives
without fear of ignorance.
I remind the members to bear in mind while being lobbied that
religious leaders of one orientation or another, at one time or another,
also strenuously battled against the abolition of slavery and
apartheid, employment equity for Dalits and the abolition of laws that
valued the legal testimony of women at half of that of a man's.
Furthermore, what is very curious in this debate is the absence of
any mention of female homosexuality. Could this be because
heterosexually dominated society has other ways of dealing with
'out of control' female sexuality, for example, by the cutlass? As if
under some sort of threat, the focus of the homophobes is on having
a law that protects against 'buggery', 'anal intercourse' and
'homosexual acts between men'. Protect whom? And why the
double-speak?
This debate is not about homosexuality at all; it is about
maintaining the damnable fantasies of powerful heterosexual men
in Guyana at the expense of the powerless.
- Yours faithfully, Anil Persaud, British Columbia

Editor's note:
We repeat the editor's note [referred to] in the previous letter.
"Sections 35l, 352 and 353 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act
provide as follows:
35l. "Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or is a
party to the commission, by any male person, of any act of gross
indecency with any other male person shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and liable to imprisonment for two years.
352. Everyone who: (a) attempts to commit buggery:; or (b) assaults
any person with intent to commit buggery; or (c) being a male,
indecently assaults any other male person, shall be guilty of felony
and liable to imprisonment for ten years.
353. Everyone who commits buggery, with a human being or with any
other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment
for life".
Thus buggery of a male or female of "any other living creature"
attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Actual sentences
have been much lower.
We are not aware of any prosecutions for private homosexual activity.
The new constitution will make discrimination on the basis of
sexual preference unlawful. This could lead to some changes in the
law".

Letter: Representatives of religions on Constitution Reform
Commission did not object to amendment on sexual orientation
(January 25, 2001)
I have noted with interest the storm that is brewing over the
anti-discrimination provision in the reform constitution in relation to
sexual orientation.
Is it not the case that the commissioners represented by the
three major religions in Guyana all gave their assent to the
recommendation when it was tabled at the Constitution Reform
Commission?
If my memory serves me correctly, there was one dissenting
voice, and it was not the voice of Rev Keith Halley, representative
from the Christian religion, nor Mr Vidyanand Persaud, representative
from the Hindu religion, nor Mr Shahabuddin McDoom, representative
from the Muslim religion.
- Yours faithfully, Cavelle A Lynch, Attorney-at-Law, Former Supervisor,
Research and Analysis, Constitution Reform Commission

Letter: Organised religion has historically oppressed many groups
I was having my breakfast this morning -- bakes, salted fish and
freshly brewed coffee -- as I read the Toronto Star newspaper, a daily
pastime of mine. However, this morning my attention was immediately
arrested upon turning to the World page where in a small column
headlined "Guyana" I read that "Christian leaders have called for three
days of fasting and prayer to press President Jagdeo not to sign a gay
rights amendment to the constitution".
As a labour, community, human rights activist, I would suggest,
very respectfully, that these so-called Christian leaders, instead of
fasting and praying to deny fundamental rights -- indeed inalienable
rights -- to gays ought to be fasting, praying and providing for the many
poor, dispossessed, homeless and hopeless people and children I
observed roaming the streets of Guyana on my recent visit.
We must never forget that organized religion -- without
exception -- has historically used the bible and other religious books
to oppress groups of people. However, the level of hypocrisy on this
issue is truly obscene for so many "Christian" leaders while publicly
voicing moral outrage privately engage in the very behaviour they
condemn.
The fifty-five members who voted for the bill should be
commended and I hope that the President moves forward to amend
the constitution to protect the rights of all Guyanese.
- Yours faithfully, June Veecock

Press Release from National AIDS Committee on the murder of Gay Jamaican HIVAIDS advocate Steve Harvey

PRESS RELEASE

MURDER OF GAY JAMAICAN HIV/AIDS ADVOCATE
MUST BE STRONGLY CONDEMNED

The National AIDS Committee strongly condemns the brutal killing of Jamaican, Steve Harvey, a gay HIV/AIDS outreach worker on November 30th. 2005. The NAC is calling for a prompt and thorough investigation of his death. Steve Harvey was taken by unidentified armed men from his house on November 30, the eve of World AIDS Day, and later found dead from gunshot wounds.

The NAC is also requesting that the December 17 concert sponsored by the Government of Guyana and USAID/GHARP launching a new HIV/AIDS campaign to fight stigma and discrimination be formally dedicated to Steve Harvey. Given the way popular music and concerts have been used by Jamaican musicians to promote homophobia, the NAC believes the Guyana ‘Don’t Dis Me’ concert, which is to be addressed by both the President of Guyana and the Ambassador of the United States, is the ideal venue to launch a sustained assault on this form of intolerance and discrimination.

Jamaican popular musicians have been in the forefront of the homophobic campaign in Jamaica which has led to deaths and maiming of men suspected of being gay. Reggae star Buju Banton, for example, is presently before the courts along with others charged in an attack in which a gay man was blinded.

The Jamaica AIDS Support Society (JAS) for which Steve Harvey worked was supported by Christian Aid, the development arm of the British Council of Churches and one of Britain’s largest private charities. JAS is involved in fighting homophobia through education. Specifically JAS pledges “to promote changes in attitudes and behaviour and empower persons to respond positively to the challenges”.

Harvey was described by Human Rights Watch as “a person of extraordinary bravery and integrity, who worked tirelessly to ensure some of Jamaica’s most marginalized people had the tools and information to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS”.

While homophobia – hatred of gay people - is exceptionally virulent in Jamaica, the rest of the English-speaking Caribbean is too complacent on this issue. It must bring itself to reject and condemn this barbaric behaviour and the attitudes which support it. Jamaican singers, whose lyrics inciting hostility to gays are banned in other parts of the world, are feted with no such reservation around the Caribbean.

Given our capacity for ‘follow pattern’, steps are needed to ensure copy-cat homophobia must be emphatically discouraged. Caribbean people are generally tolerant of many things. People of gay orientation have lived – some quite openly in communities - without comment for decades. Opinion-makers, particularly religious and political leaders, need to reflect how much they may be responsible for fostering intolerance and homophobia.

- 2 -


The Caricom community in general has to decide whether it wants to function in a world governed by tolerance and respect for diversity, or to remain entrenched in bigotry, vindictiveness and discrimination. Those who have assumed leadership of the fight against HIV/AIDS – governments, donors and church leaders – have a particular duty to demonstrate leadership in this area.

We realize taking a public stand against homophobia requires a degree of courage. However, in light of Steve Harvey’s death and its implications for the rest of the Caribbean, the ‘Don’t Dis Me’ concert should not risk passing off as one more ‘feel good’ event.

Let Steve Harvey’s death be the start of a new era.

National AIDS Committee
December 6 2005

Contact Persons:
Gloria DeCaires (NAC) tel: 254-0311
Merle Mendonca (NAC) tel: 227-4911
Rev. Barrington Litchmore (NAC) tel: 226-1215
Sharon Santiago (RAC Sub-Region 1) tel: 777-5029
Shondell Butters (RAC Reg.#2 tel: 774-4227
Dennis McKenzie (RAC Reg.#3) tel: 254-0761
Janice Bowen (RAC Reg.#5) tel: 221-2209
Therysa Lewis (RAC Reg#6) tel: 333-2391
Ivor Melville/Marilyn Sobryan/Patricia Smith tel# (RAC# 7) tel: 4552462/455-2339
Sandra Rodrigues (RAC Sub-Reg.#9) tel: 772-2006
Carla Nedd (RAC Reg.#10) tel: 442-0877

The National AIDS Committee (NAC) is a voluntary body which promotes HIV/AIDS policy and
advocacy issues, advises the Minister of Health and assesses the work of the National AIDS Programme
Secretariat (NAPS) in relation to the National AIDS Programme/Strategic Plan. The NAC also encourages
the formation of Regional Aids Committees (RACs) and networking amongst NGOs involved in the fight
against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.