The Christian community and all faith based groups are being urged to be prepared to make presentations to the National Assembly on proposed amendments decriminalise buggery.
The call comes from Advocates Guyana, which is described on its Facebook page as being birthed from Advocates International (AI)—a worldwide fellowship of advocates bearing witness of Jesus Christ through the legal profession.
In a press release on Wednesday, Advocates Guyana said that the National Assembly reconvenes on Wednesday and it is expected that the proposed amendment will be sent to a Select Committee before being debated by the House.
Before the parliamentary recess in August, a motion was passed to hold national consultations on proposals by the United Nations Human Rights Council for the country to abolish the death penalty, corporal punishment and decriminalise consensual same sex relations and discrimination against Lesbians, Gays, Bi-Sexual and Trans-gender (LGBT) persons.
The motion to submit the issues to a Special Select Committee was moved by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, was intended to follow-up on commitments made by the PPP/C administration to the United Nations Human Rights Council since 2010.
The committee is to seek, among other things, to determine the attitude of Guyanese to changes in legislative provisions and criminal code regarding consensual adult same sex relationships and discrimination, perceived or real, against LGBT persons.
The motion noted that government is of the view that parliamentary consideration of these the issues would enhance the national examination “procedurally” by being the subject of a committee, which would organise the national consultations in a credible way.
In its statement, however, Advocates Guyana said it sees the proposed amendments as a response to initiatives being undertaken by gay rights activist to encourage the voluntary practice of homosexuality.
“While these efforts have been linked to Guyana’s continued receipt of bilateral and multilateral aid, Advocates Guyana see these moves as an assault on our Guyanese beliefs and value system and as an assault on the family,” the group said.
Homosexuality is offensive to Christians and to persons of other religions all over Guyana, the group said. “The practice of homosexuality is immoral according to our long held beliefs and traditions of morality and it is immoral because it stands in contradiction to the obvious natural law, natural order and functions of men and women,” it further declared.
“While we defend the human rights of every individual, including homosexuals, we condemn the practice of homosexuality and its promotion through legislative amendments,” it added.
Advocates Guyana called upon all right thinking Guyanese “who are not blinded by the deception that is being peddled by those who claim to be protecting the rights of homosexuals” to stand up against “this most unwelcome and unhealthy initiative to destroy family values.”
“Be vigilant and ready to speak out against this initiative. The future of family values depends on you,” it added.
