SASOD, GEF protest over barring of transgender woman from court

Part of the protest against the decision of Magistrate Dylon Bess to bar a transgender woman from his courtroom because of her clothing. (Photo by Keno George)

Members and supporters of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) on Friday staged a picketing exercise outside of the city magistrates’ courts to protest a magistrate’s decision to bar a transgender woman from his courtroom because of her clothing.

In light of the decision by Magistrate Dylon Bess, who barred Petronella Trotman, born Ronell Trotman, from his courtroom and also dismissed her assault complaint, SASOD’s Managing Director Joel Simpson told Stabroek News that the handful of protestors were protesting the lack of access to justice for transgender people in the court system.