Dear Editor,
I refer to the appalling display of homophobia by our disciplined forces during last week. There has been no condemnation or explanation of these actions by the Government through its loquacious spokesperson, Dr Luncheon, or by any other so the public has to assume that the positions of our disciplined forces are officially sanctioned.
Two women members of the GDF, were privately filmed, apparently by themselves, engaging in private conduct. The film was discovered, circulated and the women were subjected to some form of discipline. They were obviously publicly ridiculed.
Not to be outdone, the Guyana Police Force issued a statement to the effect that it does not encourage homosexuality in the Force. This implies that homosexuals would not be welcome in the Force.
Together, these positions signify that persons of alternative lifestyles, who conduct their private activity in private, and harm no one including themselves, are not fit to serve Guyana.
The recent decision of the Government of Guyana to have public consultations about decriminalizing alternative lifestyles is a cop out. Guyana, like the rest of the Caribbean, is deeply homophobic. Public consultations will result in overwhelming support for
maintaining the criminalization of homosexuality as it will the maintenance of corporal punishment and the death penalty. The Government of Guyana intends to take the easy way out, instead of leading public opinion on these matters, especially homophobia, now under consideration.
I would not bore your readers with an involved article in which I analyzed the archaic laws, passed since the 1800s, which criminalize homosexuality and in which I expressed the view that these laws are unconstitutional. Unfortunately I did not get to publish it because I ceased writing for the Mirror just as I was about to do so. I intended to tackle corporal punishment and then the death penalty thereafter.
The London Guardian of October 27 reported that two courageous Jamaican homosexuals have filed suit in Jamaica challenging the constitutionality of these same archaic laws. Homosexuals are regularly murdered in Jamaica and the existence of these unconstitutional provisions help to maintain and promote homophobia.
It will strengthen and enhance human rights of the entire region if these now notorious laws are removed from our statute books. I am sure that there are lawyers in Guyana, particularly from the younger community who would be willing to institute such proceedings as a public service. They can be instituted by any person.
Yours faithfully,
Ralph Ramkarran
