Dear Editor,
The letter from the father of a gay son, published in SN on June 5, 2008 reflects the impact which homophobia has not only on homosexuals, but their families and friends. We are in the season of Father’s Day and that any father should feel fear of proclaiming love and acceptance for a child is an indictment on any society which wants to promote responsible fatherhood
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The father indicated his dream that his son could return home in his lifetime. SASOD has found that the Guyanese society displays a spectrum of attitudes towards homosexuals. Sadly, some “religious” groups and individuals continue to make homophobic pronouncements which are used by others to threaten and assault persons perceived as homosexual or transgender. At the same time, there are other people in Guyana and the Caribbean that believe that a modern democratic society cannot discriminate against its Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) citizens.
The Organisation of the American States, at the 38th General Assembly, adopted a resolution on “Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity.” The adoption of this resolution by all member states, Guyana included, signals the renewal of hope in dialogue that challenges the culture of violence and discrimination against LGBT people which exists in the Americas. All Caribbean states, including Common-wealth countries which still have discriminatory laws against persons in same-sex relationships, like Guyana, approved this resolution. SASOD heralds this resolution as a progressive move within the Inter-American system in which the human rights discourse can be advanced on violence and discrimination based on one’s actual or perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity. http://www.oas.org/consejo/GENERAL%20ASSEMBLY/DOCS38AG/VOL38/ag04208e02.doc)
On June 5, President Lula of neighbouring Brazil declared that opposition to homosexuality is a perverse disease when he opened the country’s first National Conference of Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transsexuals.
The Government of Guyana in the National Policy on Domestic Violence has recognised that homophobia would hinder any intervention with persons who wish to leave abusive same-sex relationships.
SASOD was able to attend the recent Parliament and Media workshop as part of the civil society contingent to observe the proceedings at the invitation of the Speaker of the National Assembly.
The changes we have seen in Guyana reflect a desire for a better society, in which all citizens could live free from fear of all forms of discrimination, especially those based on homophobic and misogynistic prejudices. Unfortunately, our social culture seems to be full of confrontation and conflict, rather than engagement and SASOD has mourned the diminishing of civil discourse in parts of society. The dream which the father has expressed in his letter is, however, one which is possible.
Yours faithfully,
Mark Ross
Joel Simpson
Stacey Gomes
Namela Baynes-Henry
on behalf of SASOD
