City Magistrate Dylon Bess yesterday dismissed the charge against David Bissoon, known as “Twinkle,” whom he had barred from his court for cross-dressing.
Although Twinkle, a transgender woman, was not allowed to enter the court, the charge was dismissed by Magistrate Bess after he stated that the complainants have not been appearing for the hearings.
Prior to dismissing the charge, the magistrate stated that Twinkle has continued to dress as a female although he requested that she dress as a male.
The magistrate faced a protest last week over his decision to bar Twinkle from entering the court due to her attire.
A similar protest was also staged yesterday in front of the courts complex.
Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, advocacy group Guyana Trans United (GTU) and allies had accused the magistrate of discrimination as a result of his decision. He was accused of being transphobic and using his personal feelings to guide procedure.
In 2013, then acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, addressing the law against cross-dressing, ruled that both men and women are free to cross-dress in public as long as the reason for doing so is not improper.
The meaning of “improper,” however, was questioned subsequent to his ruling and is still engaging the attention of the court.
Twinkle had told Stabroek that she was attacked in a minibus by a man who hit her with a beer bottle. She claims that she went to the police Outpost to report the matter but was further attacked by the individual and, in an act of self-defence, injured her attacker. The matter was then reported to the Brickdam Police Station, resulting in charges being laid against her.
