Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination

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Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination
AbbreviationSASOD
Formation2003
TypeNon-profit
PurposeLGBTQ Rights in Guyana
HeadquartersGeorgetown, Guyana
Key people
Joel Simpson
(Managing Director)
Websitehttp://www.sasod.org.gy/
Formerly called
Students Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) is an LGBTQ rights organisation based in Georgetown, Guyana.

Founding[edit]

In 2001, while reviewing the constitution of Guyana,[1] the National Assembly unanimously voted to amend it to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation.[2] Under pressure from religious groups, the president, Bharrat Jagdeo, refused to sign the bill.[3][4][5]

In 2003, as the National Assembly again considered the amendment[2], a group of University of Guyana students founded Students Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination. Their first event was a forum held at the National Library during which SASOD lobbied members of parliament to pass the amendment to outlaw sexual orientation discrimination.[4][5][6] SASOD's founders included then law student Joel Simpson, who has subsequently been a key leader of SASOD for at least 20 years.[7]

Advocacy and activities[edit]

Painting the Spectrum Film Festival[edit]

In 2005, SASOD started the Painting the Spectrum Film Festival, an annual festival dedicated to films highlighting the LGBTQ community.[8] As of 2008, this was the only such film festival in the English-speaking Caribbean.[4][8] In 2020, the festival was held virtually due to Covid-19.[9][10]

Repeal of Cross-dressing law[edit]

In February 2009, Guyanese police arrested several transgender people for "wearing of female attire by men", which was illegal under Chapter 8:02 of the Laws of Guyana, section 153 (1) (xlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act.[11] The detainees alleged mistreatment and violations of their rights by the police. Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson fined them and admonished them to "give their lives to Jesus Christ".[12][13][14]

In response, SASOD co-signed a letter condemning the arrests and mistreatment to Guyanese President Jagdeo. Other signatories included Human Rights Watch, Global Rights, and Guyana Rainbow Foundation.[15]

Additionally, SASOD and four of the former detainees filed a lawsuit in the High Court of Guyana challenging the constitutionality of the cross-dressing law.[16][17] In 2013, the High Court decided that "cross-dressing can be deemed a criminal offense only if engaged in for improper purposes" and awarded $40,000 to each plaintiff for the police misconduct; however, the Court declined to rule the law unconstitutional.[18][14] In response to the ruling, SASOD warned that Transgender citizens “will continue to be vulnerable to human rights abuses with this dubious decision."[14][19]

The plaintiffs appealed to the Court of Appeal which upheld the lower court's decision.[20] They appealed again, and in 2018 the Caribbean Court of Justice struck down the law.[21][22] SASOD called the decision "a victory for human rights and justice in the Caribbean."[23]

UN Reports[edit]

Beginning in 2010, SASOD contributed to Guyana's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). SASOD called for the elimination of laws that discriminate against same-sex relationships between consenting adults, as well as improving access to health care for LGBT persons.[24][25][26]

In July 2012, SASOD along with partner organizations, submitted a shadow report to Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) summarizing the discrimination and harassment experienced by lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women in Guyana.[27]

Later, in January 2013, SASOD submitted a shadow report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), highlighting the need for comprehensive sex and sexuality education in schools, access to sexual health information, and the end of discrimination and abuse based on sexual orientation and gender identity.[28]

HIV/AIDS Advocacy[edit]

In 2011, SASOD opposed a potential law that would criminalize HIV transmission, calling it "misguided, ill-informed, and unenforceable."[29] Ultimately, the law was not adopted.[30]

In 2014, SASOD was awarded with the Red Ribbon Award for outstanding community leadership on AIDS in the "Advocacy and human rights" category.[31][32]

SASOD has promoted the use of PrEP as an HIV prevention tool.[33] In 2018, they conducted focus groups with MSM and transgender people regarding their attitudes towards and awareness of PrEP. A key finding from their report[34] was that 60% of participants had never heard of PrEP.[33][35] In 2019, they partnered with a private clinic to provide PrEP services.[36][35]

SASOD has called out anti-LGBTQ attitudes and Guyana's laws against gay sex and sex work as barriers to HIV prevention.[37][38] However, SASOD has celebrated the government's progress in providing HIV services, including HIV self-testing and national treatment centers.[38][39]

Pride Parade[edit]

In 2018, SASOD, the Guyana Rainbow Foundation, and Guyana Trans United organized Guyana's first Pride Parade in Georgetown.[40][41] The event was attended by parliament member Priya Manickchand.[42] Despite opposition from some religious leaders and social media users, the parade happened without incident.[43][41]

Since 2018, SASOD has continued to assist in organizing the annual parade and pride festival.[44]

Guyana Together[edit]

In 2023, SASOD launched the "Guyana Together"[45] campaign to promote LGBTQ rights in Guyana. The first phase will focus on public education and lobbying for the appeal of laws against gay sex.[46] The second phase will focus on adding "sexual orientation", "gender identity" and "gender expression" to the Prevention of Discrimination Act.[47][48] The campaign has been endorsed by more than 60 local organizations[47], including the Rotary Club of Georgetown.[49]

Opposition[edit]

Opposition to SASOD's activities and positions has frequently originated in the Guyanese religious community. In 2010, the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) of Guyana held a press conference to oppose the SASOD's annual film festival, Painting the Spectrum, on the grounds that it promotes "homosexual behavior" among youth. In their statement, the IRO referred to LGBTQ rights as "western culture" and warned that allowing LGBTQ rights in Guyana would be "a new form of colonialism".[50] Others have opposed SASOD's legal case against Guyana's cross-dressing law.[51]

In 2018, some Christian leaders and social media users denounced Guyana's first pride parade organized by SASOD and other local LGBTQ organizations.[41][52] Later that year, 100 Christian leaders sponsored an advertisement opposing efforts led by SASOD to repeal laws against gay sex.[53][54]

Awards[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Ramkarran, Hari N. (2004). "Seeking a Democratic Path: Constitutional Reform in Guyana". Georgia Journal of International & Comparative Law. 32 (3): 585–611 – via Digital Commons @ University of Georgia School of Law.
  2. ^ a b "Constitution (Amendment Number 2) Bill No. 9 of 2003". Government Information Agency. 2003-07-18. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  3. ^ Denny, Patrick (26 Jan 2001). "Sexual orientation bill going back to Parliament". Archived from the original on 30 Aug 2013.
  4. ^ a b c Kissoon, Vidyaratha (2013-06-24). "From madness to mainstream - "Gay rights" in Guyana, Part I". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  5. ^ a b Simpson, Joel Earl (2013-06-12). "SASOD at 10: Coming Full Circle". HuffPost. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  6. ^ Caribbean IRN (7 June 2003). "FORUM WITH PARLIAMENT MEMBERS : STUDENTS AGAINST SEXUAL ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION". University of Florida Digital Collections. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  7. ^ Wickham, Sueann (2023-06-25). "With over two decades of activism, Joel Simpson is an exemplary trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights in Guyana". Guyana Standard. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  8. ^ a b Taylor, Caroline (2008-05-01). "Love after love". Caribbean Beat Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 Sep 2021. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  9. ^ Kendall, Andrew (2020-10-25). ""Queer Coolie-tudes" sets the tone for SASOD's Spectrum Film Festival". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  10. ^ "SASOD's 1st virtual film fest tonight". Guyana Times. 2020-10-17. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  11. ^ "Laws of Guyana Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act Chapter 8:02" (PDF). OAS. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  12. ^ "He wore blue velvet...? Seven fined for cross-dressing". Stabroek News. 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  13. ^ "Magistrate's 'Come to Jesus' appeal to transgender men not discriminatory". Stabroek News. 2013-09-10. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  14. ^ a b c "Guyana judge clarifies rule against cross-dressing". AP News. 2013-09-08. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  15. ^ "Letter to the President of the Republic of Guyana". Human Rights Watch. 2009-03-05. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  16. ^ "Historic constitutional motion filed against cross-dressing law" Stabroek News. 23 February 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  17. ^ "Transgender group seeks end to Guyana dress code laws". Reuters. 24 Feb 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Guyana: Ruling Limits Old Law". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  19. ^ Marks, Neil (9 Sep 2013). "Guyana court rules cross-dressing is not a crime". Reuters. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Guyana's transgender activists fight archaic law". BBC News. 2017-03-26. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  21. ^ Caserta, Salvatore (2019). "Introductory Note to Mcewan and Others V. Attorney General of Guyana (c.c.j.)". International Legal Materials. 58 (2): 247–249. ISSN 0020-7829.
  22. ^ "McEwan et al v. Attorney General of Guyana (2018)". Human Dignity Trust. 2018-11-13. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  23. ^ Lewis, Emma (2018-11-16). "Guyana's transgender community celebrates the overturning of an archaic cross-dressing law". Global Voices. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  24. ^ "Death penalty ‘spectacular failure’ in crime fight" Stabroek News. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2013
  25. ^ "Guyana to defend rights record at UN" Stabroek News. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2013
  26. ^ "SASOD engages Diplomatic Community on LGBT issues". iNews Guyana. 2014-11-18. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  27. ^ "Human Rights Violations of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (LBT) People in Guyana: A Shadow Report" (PDF). International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. 10 Jul 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 Oct 2018.
  28. ^ "Sexuality and Gender Issues Affecting Children in Guyana: A Joint Submission under the Convention of the Rights of the Child" (PDF). Child Rights International Network. 14 Jan 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 Mar 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  29. ^ "SASOD opposes criminalization of HIV transmission". Stabroek News. 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  30. ^ "Guyana gets it right in choosing not to criminalise transmission of HIV - UNAIDS". Stabroek News. 2011-09-11. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  31. ^ a b "Ten organizations receive Red Ribbon Award for outstanding community leadership on AIDS". UNAIDS. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  32. ^ a b "SASOD honoured with Red Ribbon at international AIDS conference". Stabroek News. 2014-07-23. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  33. ^ a b "Guyanese should 'PrEP' up against HIV – SASOD". News Room Guyana. 2018-08-24. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  34. ^ Rambarran, Nastassia; Simpson, Joel (Aug 2018). "Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Delivery Preferences for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among Key Populations in Guyana – PANCAP". pancap.org. Retrieved 2024-05-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  35. ^ a b "The road to PrEP in Guyana". UNAIDS. 19 Jan 2021. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  36. ^ Bacchus, Sharda (2019-12-03). "SASOD, private clinic launch PrEP service to curb HIV infections". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  37. ^ Callender, Jessica (2022-09-12). "SASOD says legislative reform needed to help vulnerable communities fight HIV/AIDS". MTV Guyana. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  38. ^ a b Wickham, Sueann (2023-06-11). "SASOD making strides in dual battle against HIV/AIDS and LGBTQI+ stigma". Guyana Standard. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  39. ^ Bhainie, Richard (14 Jan 2021). "SASOD lauds HIV self-testing, interested in rendering services - Guyana Chronicle". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  40. ^ "'Spread love, not hate' – Guyana's first Gay Pride Parade hailed a success". News Room Guyana. 2018-06-03. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  41. ^ a b c Rogers, Atiba (2018-06-18). "Guyana's LGBT community hosts its first ever gay pride parade". Global Voices. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  42. ^ Campbell, Kurt (2018-06-03). "Simpson calls for meaningful engagement on LGBT issues in Guyana". News Source Guyana. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  43. ^ Duffy, Nick (2018-06-04). "Activists take to streets for Guyana's first LGBT Pride parade". PinkNews. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  44. ^ Wickham, Sueann (2023-06-06). "Championing equality: Guyana Pride Festival 2023 spotlights LGBTIQ+ rights and social tolerance". Guyana Standard. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  45. ^ "Guyana Together". guyanatogether.gy. 2024-05-20. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  46. ^ "Groups want end to colonial era buggery laws". The Gleaner. 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  47. ^ a b "SASOD launches campaign to increase tolerance, respect for LGBTQ+ people, and repeal same sex laws". News Room Guyana. 2023-09-06. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  48. ^ "SASOD LAUNCHES EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO TACKLE ACCEPTANCE AND TOLERANCE OF LGBT COMMUNITY". HGPTV. 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  49. ^ "Guyana Together collaborates with Rotary GT to advance inclusion". Guyana Standard. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  50. ^ "Religious groups denounce gay, lesbian film festival". Stabroek News. 2010-06-29. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  51. ^ Williams, Roger (2010-12-17). "The SASOD position should be rejected out of hand by the Government of Guyana". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  52. ^ Percival, Thandeka (2018-06-02). "'You can't have a right to do what is wrong'". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  53. ^ Chabrol, Denis (2018-08-05). "Christian church leaders tell govt don't scrap buggery laws; SASOD says gay rights not a big political issue for voters". Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  54. ^ "Close to 100 Christian Leaders call on Govt. to keep Buggery Laws in place". News Source Guyana. 2018-08-05. Retrieved 2024-05-30.

External links[edit]

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