The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) on Thursday presented Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence with its recently published fact sheet on social protection, while engaging her in a discussion on the human rights approach.
According to a press release from SASOD, the minister said there would be initiatives by her ministry that would see more cooperation with civil society organisations such as SASOD.
The organisation’s Managing Director Joel Simpson noted that many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Guyanese who are open about their sexual orientation or gender identity at work regularly face discrimination. He cited a 2012 Report by Dr Christopher Carrico of the University of the West Indies’ Faculty of Law titled ‘Collateral Damage: The Social Impact of Laws Affecting LGBT Persons in Guyana.’
According to the release, Simpson said the report stated that both men and women identifying as homosexual or bisexual “reported being denied access to jobs as well as being blocked from career advancement because of their sexual identity.” Consequently, many LGBT Guyanese choose not to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity at work, which could result in greater anxiety and stress in the workplace, affect job performance and have adverse psychological impacts.
SASOD Social Change Coordinator Jairo Rodrigues, the release said, spoke of the community’s dilemma given that same-sex intimacy between men is still criminalized under the laws of Guyana. He noted that this inhibits LGBT people from seeking police protection when they face harassment, assault, intimate-partner violence, homophobic and transphobic violence because of fear of discrimination, re-victimization and threat of possible prosecution.
The release said the minister stated that she is fully aware of her responsibility to bridge the gaps in society to foster better functioning services between the people and the government and in her mandate as Minister of Social Protection, whatever there is she can do to bridge these gaps she would like to do it. “We would like to see more collaboration. We need it if we are to make a change. We must work together,” she was quoted as saying.
The release said SASOD restated the need for government to amend section 4(2) of the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997 to include sexual orientation, gender identity and health status as grounds for discrimination; and implement and support comprehensive workplace equality policies and education programmes aimed at curbing discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and health status in the workplace, both in the public service and private sector.
Also at the meeting were Ministerial Advisor on Social Protection John Adams and SASOD’s Advocacy and Communications Officer, Schemel Patrick and Board Secretary Alana Da Silva.
