Free quality mental health services and employment and entrepreneurial training programmes for vulnerable groups are among the top priorities outlined in the LGBTQIA+ Manifesto launched by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) Guyana.
The manifesto, which will be presented to political parties contesting this year’s General and Regional Elections, builds on the success of the country’s first LGBTQIA+ Manifesto issued in 2020. It outlines ten key recommendations for inclusion in their manifestos.
Launched earlier today at the Herdmanston Lodge Hotel in Georgetown, the document also calls for emergency shelter for youth fleeing violence, including gender-based and partner violence; quality health services; an end to discriminatory laws; mandatory training on Justice, Equity and Inclusion; education inclusion; the repeal of the law governing same-sex intimacy; comprehensive legislation to eradicate all forms of discrimination; and economic opportunity for all.
Speaking at the launch event, SASOD’s Founder and Managing Director, Joel Simpson, said law reform is key to achieving these recommendations.
“A strong majority of Guyanese people believe it’s time for LGBTQIA+ people to be treated with respect under Guyanese law, and when we go to the ballot box on September 1st we will be voting with our values. LGBTQIA+ people will be voting in this year’s election, because like all other Guyanese we care about having a government that prioritises protecting our families and ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities,” he said.
Simpson further stated that it was important for the Society to make its voices heard at the ballot box on election day for candidates who match its values, as he noted that SASOD is currently open to dialogue with the contesting political parties.
He said SASOD plans to host a town hall on July 29 and will invite the seven political parties contesting this year’s elections to be part of it.
Businessman and LGBTQIA+ advocate, Enzo Matthews, in delivering remarks, also called for the group to be treated with respect and for their recommendations to be taken seriously.
“It really includes everyone of us. I know you might say, ‘I’m not part of the community’, but your neighbours are a part of the community, your friends, the people that you work with are a part of the community. What the manifesto really does is bring everyone together. There’s so much as ‘One Caribbean,’ and these things but we’re very shy when it comes to these types of matters. We cannot pick and choose when we want to come together as a people. We should always come together holistically for every cause,” he said.
SASOD Guyana is a human rights organisation and movement committed to leading change to end discrimination based on sexuality and gender.
