SASOD Closes LGBT Pride Month with Fundraising Cabaret Show

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) is bringing the curtains down on the celebrations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Pride Month in Guyana with its Spectrum Cabaret Night this evening, Saturday, June 27 at the Dutch Bottle Café at 10 North Road, Bourda (between Light and Cummings Streets) in Georgetown, Guyana.

The two-hour stage show will start at 19:00 hrs and is expected to be an edgy, sensational and provocative event. A number of talented Guyanese singers, poets, dancers, designers and musicians are slated to entice the audience with their spectacular performances. These include Gavin Mendonca, LLoyda Nicholas, Keimo Benjamin, Travis Bowen, Royston Glasgow, Elsie Harry-Ross, Ryan Berkeley, Dominic Alleyne, Raphael Marcus and other talented Guyanese entertainers. 

 Destra Saul and Raphael Marcus, two of the talented Guyanese youth slated to perform this evening

Tickets cost $1,000 in advance and are available at That Look Boutique, 235 South Road, Oasis Café, 125 Carmichael Street, and SASOD’s office, 169 Charlotte Street. Admission costs $1,500 at the door. Special cabaret-themed cocktails and mocktails will also be on sale.  All proceeds go directly to SASOD’s LGBT Community Centre Fund. Free, onsite HIV counseling and testing, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Advancing Partnerships and Communities (APC) Project, will also be available to all attendees.

Painting the Spectrum 11 Closes with Films from Uganda, Mexico and Guyana

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) will bring the curtains down on its eleventh lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) film festival, “Painting the Spectrum 11,” next week with three poignant films exploring homophobia, sexuality diversity and resistance  in the developing world.

The final week begins with a documentary based in Uganda which explores the dangers of imported homophobia.  On Tuesday, June 23, the international award-winning documentary “Call Me Kuchu,” which was donated by the High Commission of Canada to Guyana,  will be screened. In Uganda, the ‘Kill the Gays’ bill threatens to make homosexuality punishable by death. The late David Kato, Uganda’s first openly gay man, and retired Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjo work against the clock to defeat state-sanctioned homophobia while combating vicious persecution in their daily lives. But no one is prepared for the brutal murder that shakes their movement to its core and sends shock waves around the world.

Love and Passion Permeate Painting the Spectrum 11 This Week

The penultimate week of Painting the Spectrum 11: SASOD's annual LGBT film festival will screen two attention-grabbing films on about gender, love, family, passion and relationships.

On Tuesday, June 16, Spectrum 11 will screen “Southern Comfort,” a celebrated film, famous for high levels of critical praise and the winner of nearly 20 major film festivals including the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. “Southern Comfort” has fascinated audiences with its remarkable fusion of humour, tragedy and romance. This beautiful love story will take viewers on a journey into the life of Robert Eads, a 52-year-old, wise-cracking cowboy, warm and gregarious, who was born female and later transitioned into living as a man after bearing two sons. The film finds Robert fifteen years later during the extraordinary last year of his life as he falls headlong into a passionate romance with Lola, a vivacious and magnetic woman who was born male. This extraordinary film explores issues surrounding gender, family, love and relationships.
Then on Thursday, June 18, the festival heats up with the screening of “A Perfect Ending.”  This sexy and fun romantic drama stars Jessica Clark (True Blood’s Lilith) and TV icon Barbara Niven. It tells the story of straight and married Rebecca (Niven) who seeks out the sexual services of high-riced call girl Paris (Clark) but she isn’t expecting to fall in love. “A Perfect Ending” is filled to the brink with aching desire, and the sexual chemistry between Niven and Clark is off the charts. This ‘opposites attract,’ edge-of-your-seat lesbian romance is a glossy, sexy and fun romantic drama guaranteed to earn a fresh array of fans for veteran writer-director Nicole Conn.

“No Easy Walk to Freedom” and “Punks” Screen This Week at Painting the Spectrum 11

Painting the Spectrum 11 continues this week with one documentary and a movie highlighting the struggles lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals face fighting for law reform and the dilemmas in intimate partner relationships.   

On Tuesday, June 9, Spectrum 11 will screen “No Easy Walk to Freedom”. Filmed in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Lucknow and rural India, “No Easy Walk to Freedom”, by Nancy Nicol, tells the story of the struggle to strike down section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalizes homosexuality. Told through the voices of lawyers, activists and community leaders, “No Easy Walk to Freedom” exposes human rights violations perpetrated under section 377 and documents the growth of queer organizing in India in the context of this historic legal battle to overturn a colonial-era law.
The screening of “No Easy Walk to Freedom” will be followed by a panel discussion of Guyanese professionals and community experts examining the struggles for constitutional and law reform for LGBT Guyanese, with a particular focus on the constitutional challenge to the cross-dressing law and plans of the new coalition government which campaign on platforms of inclusive democracy, national unity and gender equality.

 And then on Thursday, June 11, “Punks”, a romantic comedy exploring the trials and tribulations of black gay men will be screened. “Punks” tell the tale of four gay African-American friends in Los Angeles, USA. - shy, virginal photographer Marcus (Seth Gilliam), outgoing lethario Hill (Dwight Ewell), hot-to-trot rich kid newbie Dante (Renoly Santiago), and fabulous drag diva Crystal (Jazzmun). When the hunky Darby (Rockmond Dunbar) moves in next door to Marcus, the foursome wonder if the seemingly straight music producer might be bendable when Marcus strikes up a close friendship with the new neighbour. Meanwhile, Hill struggles in the aftermath of a breakup with his French husband (Rudolf Martin); young Dante struggles to find himself; and diva Crystal deals with the trials of having a high-profile, closeted celebrity boyfriend. “Punks” is an award-winning and ground-breaking romantic comedy.

The film festival continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays in June commencing at 6 pm in the evenings at SASOD’s office located at 169 Charlotte Street. Lacytown, Georgetown. There is no charge for admission to attend the film festival. Drinks and snacks will be on sale. All firms are intended for mature audiences. Person must be 18 years and over to attend. Free, onsite HIV counseling and testing, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Advancing Partnerships and Communities (APC) Project, will also be available.

Painting the Spectrum 11 concludes on Saturday, June 27, with Spectrum Cabaret Night at the Dutch Bottle Café, 10 North Road, Bourda (between Light and Cummings Streets) in Georgetown commencing at 7 pm. Tickets cost $1,000 in advance and $1,500 at the door.

Painting the Spectrum 11: SASOD's LGBT Film Festival 2015

Painting the Spectrum 11 : 
SASOD's LGBT Film Festival 2015 

Movie Schedule 

Tuesday, June 2

Out on the Tracks – Documentary

Origin: USA | Duration: 79 mins

Out on the Tracks portrays a gay Guyanese soul singer, Nhojj and documents his ground-breaking “Made to Love Him” sessions. Affirming the LGBTQ community through same-sex renditions of classic heterosexual love songs from Gershwin's "Someone to Watch Over Me" to Billy Joel's "She's Got a Way" ("He's Got a Way"), this gentle and human documentary touches upon the themes of love, hope and self-acceptance, and explores the recording process and the power of music.

SASOD hosts 6th AIDS Candlelight Memorial under the theme ‘Supporting the Future’

On Sunday May 24, 2015, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) supported the initiative of the the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GN+) and hosted the 6^th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Guyana on the steps of the St. George’s Cathedral. 

Chelauna Providence, Organiser of the event and Social Change Coordinator, SASOD and John Quelch, chairperson of the event and Project Coordinator, SASOD addressing the audience. 

The theme for this year’s 32^nd annual observance, ‘Supporting the Future,’ challenges people from various communities around the world to unite and demand a sustainable AIDS response - one that is fully inclusive. The event reinforced the need for access to treatment, care and support, as many persons living with HIV (PLHIV) are still facing discrimination and criminalization in various contexts. 

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is not just a memorial, but an opportunity for communities to mobilize and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. It is about fostering global solidarity, and breaking down the barriers of stigma and discrimination, and restoring hope for the future.

Delivering the feature address was Ms. Folami Harris, Chief of Party of the USAID Advancing Partners and Communities (APC) Project. In her address she challenged those present to apply a simple ABC model as they support the future. She spoke to Acceptance of those living with HIV, calling for a sense of Belongingness within our respective communities and groups, and being a part of the Collective response to HIV.

Marginalised Groups Prepare to Engage Next Government on Rights Policy Issues

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination, on Thursday April 16, 2015 hosted the Civil Society Stakeholders Consultation for the Guyanese Vulnerable Communities Capacities Strengthening Project, funded by the delegation of the European Union to Guyana, which aims to build civil society capacity to better engage policy decision-makers at all levels of government. The two-day conference, held at the Grand Coastal Hotel at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, marked the end of the first phase of the project. Chaired by SASOD’s Social Change Coordinator, Chelauna Providence, the conference’s opening was attended by representatives of civil society groups working with marginalised communities, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the United Nations and other special invitees.

John Quelch, Project Coordinator, opened the ceremony highlighting the objectives of the project and the intended outcomes that will benefit the work and advocacy of civil society organisations (CSOs) representing marginalised communities. Quelch outlined the three phases of the project and the relevance of each to its eventual success. The first phase concludes with this consultation with members of civil society, on the findings of Baseline and Mapping Studies, conducted by the three consultants drawn from the Commonwealth, Gordon Floyd; Caribbean, Deborah Nurse; and Guyana, Kesaundra Alves. The Baseline Study measures the current level of capacity among Guyanese civil society to engage in public policy advocacy on behalf of vulnerable groups. The Mapping Study describes the processes by which policy decisions are made in the Guyanese context and highlights key opportunities for civil society to intervene and participate. Quelch related that the project is timely in light of upcoming elections. “Guyanese civil society will now be more equipped to engage the engage the next government and twelfth parliament on behalf of the marginalized groups we serve. We are preparing to take collective and pro-active action to have human rights issues addressed now – both during the campaign and when the next government and parliament takes office after the May 11 polls. We are no longer waiting. Our issues must be addressed now,” Quelch said.

Local Civil Society Groups Raise Discrimination with OAS Human Rights Body

A delegation of four organizations representing the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) presented on “Discrimination in the enjoyment of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Guyana” at a thematic hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) at its 154th session of hearings in Washington, DC, last Friday, March 20, 2015. The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere. The Commissioners present at the hearing were Prof. Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Chair of the Commission, James Cavallaro, Rapporteur for Guyana, and Felipe Gonzalez.
The petitioners representing the GEF were the Sisterhood of Support, Services and Sustainability (S4) Foundation, Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP), Deaf Association of Guyana (DAG) and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD). The GEF is a network of local civil society groups working for equal rights in Guyana.

Petitioners representing the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF):, SASOD’s Joel Simpson, DAG’s Sabine McIntosh, GOIP’s Colin Klautky, S4’s Imarah Radix and SASOD’s Schemel Patrick 

SASOD receives Red Ribbon Award Cheque and Debriefs on Melbourne AIDS Conference

On Thursday, January 22, 2015, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) in collaboration with the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) hosted a debriefing session on the 20^th International AIDS Conference and received the cheque for winning the Red Ribbon Award in the category of Human Rights and Advocacy at Moray House in Georgetown.

The session, chaired by SASOD’s Social Change Coordinator Chelauna Providence, provided a platform for representatives from the national delegation who attended the conference to present and share how they are implementing the lessons learnt from the conference, discuss their progress with other key stakeholders, including the media, and allow an opportunity for questions and feedback from stakeholders.
The panel discussion was moderated by SASOD’s Managing Director, Joel Simpson, and featured four panelists who formed part of the national delegation attending the conference in Melbourne, Australia last July: Royston Savory, Prevention Officer at Family Awareness Consciousness Togetherness (FACT) in Corriverton, Berbice; Antonio Paul, Transgender Community Advocate from Region 3; Dr. Ruth Ramos, Director of the National Care and Treatment Centre, Ministry of Health; and Dr. Shanti Singh-Anthony, Programme Manager of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, Ministry of Health.

 Panelists (l-r) - Dr. Shanti Singh-Anthony, Dr. Ruth Ramos, Antonio Paul and Royston Savory 

Red Ribbon Awards Acceptance Speech: Advocacy and Human Rights

His Excellency the President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Minister of Health of Indonesia, Dr. Nafsiah Mboi, Vice-Minister of Health Surveillance of Brazil, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Former Member of Parliament of Paupa New Guinea, Dame Carol Kidu, UNAIDS Deputy Director, Jan Beagle, GNP + Executive Director, Dame Suzette Moses-Burton, PANCAP Director, Dereck Springer, National AIDS Programme Scretariat Programme Manager, Dr. Shanti Singh-Anthony, international media, fellow awardees, human rights and AIDS researchers, activists, students, service providers, distinguished delegates; good afternoon to you all. And thank you for joining us at this special session  for the presentation of the 2014 Red Ribbon Awards at the 20^th International AIDS Conference, AIDS 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. I am Joel Simpson, speaking on behalf of the two award-winning community-based ogranisations from Indonesia and Guyana.

While we are happy to be here to accept this excellence award for our work, we  remember and pay tribute to our peers and colleagues who lost their lives traveling here on Flight MH 17. May their souls rest in peace, and their work not be in vain.
On behalf of the Indonesian Drug Users Network (PKNI) and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Red Ribbon Awards committee, programme and funders for honouring our work with this excellence award in HIV advocacy and human rights. In Indonesia and Guyana, PKNI and SASOD, represent and work with marginalised groups who are treated like outcasts because they use drugs, sell sex and have diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Our communities are castigated as third-class citizens; their humanity and dignity is denied, and their rights are not respected. It is often difficult in this sector which is obsessed with data, numbers, monitoring and evaluation, and return on investment to make the business case for investing in human rights and advocacy programmes for key populations. But this Red Ribbon Award category for advocacy and human rights recognizes that we are “stepping up the pace” by putting pressure on state and non-state actors alike to end criminalization, prohibition and discrimination which create barriers to access for our communities. If we are to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, then we must protect the rights of the most vulnerable in our societies. We know 'getting to zero' is only possible if there is zero discrimination, zero new infections and zero AIDS-related deaths. But we cannot 'get to zero' if donors do not invest in community-based organisations who represent and work with key populations to advocate and improve human rights protections for these disadvantaged groups. Human rights is prevention. Human rights  is treatment. Human rights is care and support. Invest in human rights now!
And today as we celebrate our work with this most prestigious Red Ribbon Award, we are reminded that the struggles for human rights, dignity, equality and justice are far from over. Yesterday Sunday, July 20, two transgender youth, Jada and Tyra, were brutally murdered in Guyana's capital city, Georgetown. Both Chelauna and I know Jada and Tyra personally as vibrant and talented young advocates in the Guyanese lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender  (LGBT) movement. Our work is not complete until every human being in our countries – every drug user, every sex worker, every LGBT person – can live their lives freely and openly without fear, hatred or stigma. We dedicate SASOD's Red Ribbon Award  to the loving memories of Jada, Tyra and countless other LGBT Guyanese whose lives have been snuffed out, due to bigotry and prejudice in our beautiful country.

Jada and Tyra, may your souls rest in peace. Your bravery will not be in vain.

Thank you.

Joel Earl Simpson

SASOD – Guyana

Red Ribbon Awards Special Session

XX International AIDS Conference

Melbourne, Australia

July 21, 2014

CAFA LAUNCHES FILM PROJECT IN SUPPORT OF CARIBBEAN SCRIPT WRITERS

The Caribbean Film Academy (CaFA) and its partners - Groundation Grenada, Audiovisual Society of Dominica, ChantiMedia and SASOD Guyana – is set to launch Caribbean Film Project, an initiative which aims to showcase the talent of unknown and emerging writers in the Caribbean and Diaspora.

Through Caribbean Film Project, CaFA and its partners will not only tackle storytelling in films coming out of the Caribbean, but will provide an opportunity for Diaspora filmmakers to have their work included in a Caribbean film compilation. The initiative will focus on assisting in the production of films in countries which have mostly been absent from the current Caribbean filmmaking renaissance – Dominica, Guyana, Grenada, and St. Kitts & Nevis, as well as Caribbean filmmakers in the Diaspora.

Caribbean Film Project will be run as a script competition open for entries from January – February 2015.  The winner from each country will be paired with a coach who will work with the writer to make their script production-ready.  With the help of each producing partner, the films will then be produced. CaFA plans to raise the funds needed for the project through sponsorship, fundraisers and crowd-funding.

This focus on writing is long overdue, according to CaFA’s Co-Founder, Romola Lucas, who has led the effort to organize this new project.  She says, “Spurred by the availability and increasing affordability of filmmaking equipment, the Caribbean is currently experiencing a surge in filmmaking.  More and more people, who may never have considered filmmaking an option are making films encouraged by new opportunities to have their work screened at the growing number of Caribbean film festivals.  Many of the films are excellent – well-written, professionally produced, and visually appealing.  However, there are many others which suffer from technical issues and incomplete storytelling.”

“From our perspective, well-written stories underpin every sustainable film movement, and in order for Caribbean storytellers to be counted among the best in the world, specific focus and attention must be given to the development of great writers,” Lucas continues. 

The Film Project competition is open to writers/filmmakers who are residents/nationals of Dominica, Guyana, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and to those of Caribbean descent/heritage living in the Diaspora and writing Caribbean stories.  Submissions open on Friday, January 2, 2015 and close Friday, February, 28, 2015.  To learn more about the Project and submit a script, visitwww.caribbeanfilm.org or email us at submissions@cafafilmproject.org.

 For further information, please contact:

Chantal Miller – ChantiMedia

hello@chantimedia.com

Jessica Canham – Audiovisual Association of Dominica

jessica@earthbook.tv

Joel Simpson – SASOD Guyana

manager@sasod.org.gy

Malaika Brooks – Groundation Grenada

malaika@groundationgrenada.com

Romola Lucas – CaFA

romola@caribbeanfilm.org

About CaFA

Established in 2012 in Brooklyn, NY, The Caribbean Film Academy (CaFA), is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and support of Caribbean filmmaking and filmmakers, in the Region and the Diaspora.  CaFA’s work is focused on promoting and sharing the art of storytelling through film from the unique perspective of the Caribbean.

About CHANTIMEDIA

ChantiMedia was born out of a passion for the Caribbean’s unparalleled and vibrant creative expression. Founded in 2012 by Chantal Miller (presenter and voice over artist) as a primarily digital platform to share and promote the artistic diversity of the region, ChantiMedia has now evolved into a multi-faceted creative hub. Based between the beautiful island of Nevis and the cultural melting pot of London (UK) the company now focuses on production (film and television), the curating of exhibitions and film festivals, the facilitating of creative workshops and fostering creative collaborations throughout the Diaspora.

 About GROUNDATION GRENADA

Groundation Grenada is a social action collective which focuses on the use of creative media to assess the needs of our communities, raise consciousness and act to create positive radical growth. Its mission is to provide active safe spaces to incubate new modes of resistance, building from the local to affect regional and international solidarity and change. The organization pursues its mission online, through its website and social media, and also through live events and special projects in collaboration with local, regional and international artists, activists and institutions. Groundation Grenada’s website supports both local and diasporic voices, acting as an interface to connect people who are hungry for innovative change.

About SASOD GUYANA

SASOD is dedicated to the eradication of homophobia in Guyana and throughout the Caribbean. The organization has worked tirelessly to repeal discriminatory Guyanese laws, change local attitudes about the LGBT community, and end discrimination in the government, workplace, and community.  The organization has been hosting, for the past 10 years, the only LGBT film festival in the Caribbean – bringing many Caribbean LGBT films to home audiences.

About THE AUDIOVISUAL ASSOCIATION OF DOMINICA

AAD’s mission is to promote and support the growth of professionals and businesses in Dominica’s audiovisual sector.  Membership in the Association is open to both individuals and to businesses. Being a member of the Audiovisual Association of Dominica enables individual producers and companies to benefit from activities and initiatives designed to improve the business climate for audiovisual professionals, and to support professional development.  The Association provides training in production, and scriptwriting, it maintains a data base of industry professionals, provides networking opportunities for members, creates local and regional partnerships and advocates for a regulatory environment to promote and support the growth of the sector.

Local Civil Society Groups Plug Equality at Youth Rally

A number of youth organisations and groups took part in the Human Rights Day Youth Rally on Wednesday, December 10 to demonstrate that “Youth Voices Matter.” The Youth Rally was held in  observance  of World  Human  Rights  Day  and the goal of  the  event  was  to  educate,  engage  and  empower  young people  about basic human rights. The idea was to highlight that human rights belong to everyone, everywhere and that youth voices matter; and  most importantly, that youth should be involved – educated, engaged and empowered - to address rights issues affecting their communities.

Individuals painting their Human Rights Day Messages at the Mural

Even with some rainfall the event was able to engage patrons through cultural presentations, which saw a number of talented youth addressing human rights through song, dance, poetry, and musical renditions. Local artistes who performed included Chelsie France, Francis Bailey, Katina Benn, Anesa Slater, Elsie Harry, Music Unlimited and the Deaf Association of Guyana’s drumming group. 

Representatives from the Deaf Association of Guyana preforming at the cultural concert

There was mural painting which provided an engaging platform for persons of all ages and walks of life to express their thoughts and feelings about human rights through art. The information station served to provide youth-focused and rights-based organisations with an opportunity to share information about their organization, the work they do and how other young people can become involved. It also served to educate visitors about the services that exist and how they can become involved in addressing various rights issues.

The photo booth provided an opportunity for persons to support various visual advocacy campaigns. The Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM), which is the youth arm of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), ran a photo-framing and message-painting campaign to promote young people’s expression and advocacy for their sexual and reproductive rights, while SASOD launched its Instagram page coinciding with World Human Rights Day to promote equality for all Guyanese every day, adopting the United Nations’ hashtag for the global campaign, #rights365. Human  Rights  Day,  observed  globally  on  December  10,  provides the opportunity  to  celebrate human rights, highlight challenges, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights, for everyone, everywhere. Human Rights Day is aimed at bringing awareness to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Through this event, focus was also placed on the Convention on the Rights of a Child to encourage young people to promote the rights of children in Guyana as well, as abuses against children are far too common in our society. 

Participants at Human Rights Day Express Yourself Photo Booth

The Human Rights Day Youth Rally was hosted by the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF), a network of civil society organisations working for equal rights and justice for all Guyanese. GEF members who participated in the event include the Guyana Trans United (GTU), Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous People (GOIP), S4 Foundation, Blue CAPS, Help and Shelter, Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) – Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM) and the Deaf Association of Guyana (DAG). Other partners also included are the Volunteerism Support Platform, Caribbean Youth Environmental Network,   Global Sharpers – Georgetown Hub, REDbandaid Foundation, Guyana National Youth Council and the Guyana Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS (GBCHA). The GEF thanks everyone who took part in the Youth Rally or supported the event.

SASOD raises LGBT Mental Health at Cuso Volunteer Forum

On December 4, 2014, SASOD’s Managing Director, Joel Simpson, gave a presentation on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights issues to SASOD partner organization Cuso International, an Ottawa-based international development NGO, at the Grand Coastal Hotel on the East Coast of Demerara.  He was followed by sociologist, Dr. Ryan Higgitt, providing Cuso with an overview on his research on LGBT mental health in Guyana. Dr. Higgitt is a Cuso Volunteer currently attached to SASOD as Mental Health Researcher.  Simpson drew attention to the discrimination faced by LGBT Guyanese and how it leads to mental health issues, while Higgitt underscored how recent statistics offered by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) illustrate the way suicide mortality tends to take on specific socio-historical patterns that call into question fundamental tenets of a modern medical model which reduce mental illness to an ‘individual’ problem.  

Simpson (standing) presenting at the Cuso Volunteer Forum on December 4, 2014